Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or its position. It is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in a system.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. The kinetic energy of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the square of its velocity.

The formula for kinetic energy is: KE = 0.5 * m * v^2 where KE is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the velocity of the object.

Potential Energy

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. It can be gravitational potential energy or elastic potential energy.

The gravitational potential energy is given by: PE = m * g * h where PE is the potential energy, m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object.

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials such as a compressed spring or a stretched rubber band. It is given by: PE = 0.5 * k * x^2 where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from the equilibrium position.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (kinetic energy + potential energy) of a system remains constant if only conservative forces act on the system. This means that the mechanical energy is conserved and does not change as the system evolves over time.

Study Guide

1. Define mechanical energy and its components.
2. Understand the formulas for kinetic energy and potential energy.
3. Be able to calculate kinetic and potential energy for different objects and situations.
4. Explain the concept of conservation of mechanical energy and give examples.
5. Practice problem-solving involving mechanical energy conservation in various scenarios.