1. What is Mechanical Energy?

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in a system. It represents the total energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mechanical energy equation:

Where:

• \( E_{mech} \) — Mechanical energy (J)
• \( KE \) — Kinetic energy (J)
• \( PE \) — Potential energy (J)

Explanation: The equation simply adds the kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy due to position) to get the total mechanical energy.

3. Importance of Mechanical Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating mechanical energy is essential in physics and engineering for analyzing conservation of energy, motion dynamics, and system behavior in various mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter kinetic energy and potential energy values in joules (J). Both values must be non-negative numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the unit of mechanical energy?
A: Mechanical energy is measured in joules (J), the same unit used for both kinetic and potential energy.

Q2: Is mechanical energy always conserved?
A: In an ideal system with no non-conservative forces (like friction), mechanical energy is conserved. However, in real systems, some energy may be converted to other forms.

Q3: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: While kinetic energy cannot be negative, potential energy can be negative depending on the reference point. Therefore, mechanical energy can also be negative.

Q4: What are some examples of mechanical energy?
A: Examples include a rolling ball (kinetic + gravitational potential), a compressed spring (elastic potential), and a pendulum swinging (kinetic + gravitational potential).

Q5: How does this relate to the conservation of energy?
A: The mechanical energy calculator helps verify the conservation principle in isolated systems where only conservative forces act, showing that the total mechanical energy remains constant.