Mechanical Energy Information: We explain what mechanical energy is and how it can be classified. We also provide examples of potential and kinetic mechanical energy. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What is mechanical energy?
Mechanical energy is the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of a body or system. Kinetic energy is the energy that moving bodies possess, as it depends on their speeds and masses. Potential energy, on the other hand, is associated with the work of forces called conservative, such as elastic and gravitational forces, which depend on the mass of the body, its position, and structure.
The Principle of Conservation of Energy states that mechanical energy is conserved (remains constant) as long as the forces acting on the body or system are conservative, that is, they do not cause the system to lose energy. Must Read About Snow White Movie Once.
This principle can be written mathematically as follows:
Emec = Ec + Ep = cte
where Ec is the kinetic energy of the system and Ep its potential energy, which can be gravitational, elastic, electrical, etc.
This relationship does not hold if the system is affected by non-conservative forces. For example, in the case of motion on surfaces with friction (like most surfaces), kinetic energy is dissipated as heat. The mechanical energy of a system can also be lost as heat, for example in thermodynamic systems where mechanical energy can be converted into thermal energy.
Mechanical energy is frequently used to perform work or to convert it into other forms of energy, as is the case with hydraulic energy (when humans harness the potential energy of falling water to perform work). Another example is wind energy or tidal energy, which uses the kinetic energy of wind and tides to transform it into another type of useful energy. Must Read About Solstice Once.
Types of Mechanical Energy
Mechanical energy is the sum of the following energies:
Kinetic Energy
This is the energy possessed by objects or a system in motion, and which depends on their speed and mass. For example: a moving ball.
Potential Energy
This is the energy associated with the position of a body within a conservative force field, such as gravitational, elastic, electrical, etc. Potential energy can be of two types:
- Gravitational potential energy: This is the energy due to the action of gravity on bodies. For example: an object falling from a certain height.
- Elastic potential energy: This is the energy possessed by systems deformed by a force. The energy remains in the system until the force is no longer applied, and thus the system returns to its original shape, transforming elastic energy into kinetic energy. For example: a spring that is stretched or contracted by an external force, which, when no longer applied, allows the spring to return to its normal, equilibrium position.
Examples of Mechanical Energy
Some possible examples of mechanical energy in its different forms are the following:
Roller coaster car
At its highest point, the car will have accumulated enough gravitational potential energy (due to the height) to fall freely a second later and convert it all into kinetic energy (due to motion) and reach dizzying speeds.
Windmill
The kinetic energy of the wind provides thrust to the windmill’s blades, which is converted into mechanical work: turning the gear that will grind the grains below.
Pendulum
The gravitational potential energy of the weight is converted into kinetic energy to move it along its path, conserving total mechanical energy.
Diving board
A swimmer diving from a diving board uses their weight (gravitational potential energy) to deform the diving board downward (elastic potential energy). As the board recovers its shape, it pushes them upward, increasing their height (plus gravitational potential energy), which is then converted into kinetic energy during the free fall into the water. Must Read About Summer Once.
Mechanical, Kinetic, and Potential Energy
As already mentioned, mechanical energy involves two forms of energy: kinetic and potential.
The former can be calculated using the simple formula Ec = ½ m . v2 , and its unit of measurement in the International System is Joules (J).
On the other hand, potential energy is the amount of energy stored in the system due to its particular configuration or its position relative to a force field (gravitational, elastic, or electromagnetic). This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy itself.
