Work, energy and power: WAEC Physics Past Questions and Answers

What the WAEC syllabus covers in Work, energy and power

Our summary: Work done, kinetic and potential energy, power, and how simple machines make work easier.

• Concept of work as a measure of energy transfer (Unit of energy as the joule (J).)
• Concept of energy as capability to do work (Unit of energy as the joule (J) while unit of electrical consumption is kWh.)
• Work done in a gravitational field (Work done in lifting a body and by falling bodies.)
• Types of mechanical energy: potential energy (P.E.) and kinetic energy (K.E.) (Derivation of P.E. and K.E. are expected to be known. Identification of types of energy possessed by a body under given conditions.)
• Conservation of mechanical energy (Verification of the principle.)
• Concept of power as time rate of doing work (Unit of power as the watt (W).)
• Application of mechanical energy - machines (levers, pulleys, inclined plane, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, gears) (The force ratio (F.R.), mechanical advantage (M.A.), velocity ratio (V.R.) and efficiency of each machine should be treated. Identification of simple machines that make up a given complicated machine e.g. bicycle. Effects of friction on machines. Reduction of friction in machines.)

Syllabus content © The West African Examinations Council (WASSCE (harmonised West African syllabus)).