Mechanical Energy

Mechanical Energy

1. Is the sum of energy in a mechanical system. This energy includes both kinetic energy(energy of motion) and potential energy(stored energy).

2. Objects have mechanical energy if they are in motion and/or if they are at some position relative to a zero potential energy position.

   • Examples:
     • A moving car possesses mechanical energy due to its motion(kinetic energy) and a barbell lifted high above a weightlifter’s head possesses mechanical energy due to its vertical position above the ground(potential energy).

3. Because of the different components of mechanical energy, it exists in every system in the universe.

4. Formula

   • M.E = K. E + P.E M.E = ½ mv2 + mgh
     • m = mass of an object---v = velocity of that object -----g = acceleration due to gravity -----h = height of an object.

5. Mechanical energy can be separated into two categories, transient and stored. Transient energy is energy in motion, that is, energy being transferred from one place to another. Stored energy is the energy contained within a substance or object. Transient mechanical energy is commonly referred to as work. Stored mechanical energy exists in one of two forms: kinetic or potential.

6. An isolated system is one in which no external force causes energy changes. If only conservative forces act on an object and U is the potential energy function for the total conservative force.

   • The difference between a conservative and a non-conservative force is that when a conservative force moves an object from one point to another, the work done by the conservative force is independent of the path.

7. References:

   • Admin. (2020, April 22). Mechanical Energy Formula - Definition, Formula And Solved Examples. Retrieved April 24, 2020, from https://byjus.com/mechanical-energy-formula/
     • Coffey, J. (2015, December 24). What Is Mechanical Energy. Retrieved April 24, 2020, from https://www.universetoday.com/73598/what-is-mechanical-energy/
       • Mechanical Energy Formula - Equation. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2020, from https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/what-is-energy-physics/what-is-mechanical-energy/mechanical-energy-formula-equation/