The Astonishing Physics of a Falling Chain 😍✨| Work Energy Power #energy #conservationofenergy #work
Channel: SIGMA PHYSICS ⚛️
Date: 2023-07-25

The conservation of mechanical energy is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total mechanical energy of a system remains constant as long as no external work or non-conservative forces act upon it. Mechanical energy is the sum of an object's potential energy and kinetic energy.

The potential energy of an object is the energy associated with its position or configuration relative to other objects. It depends on factors such as height, elasticity, and the strength of forces acting on the object. The most common forms of potential energy are gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.

The kinetic energy of an object is the energy associated with its motion and is determined by its mass and velocity. It is given by the equation: 

KE = (1/2) * m * v^2

where KE represents kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is its velocity.

According to the conservation of mechanical energy, if an object is isolated from external forces or work, the sum of its kinetic and potential energies remains constant over time. This means that as the object moves, potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy and vice versa, but the total mechanical energy remains unchanged.

A common example of the conservation of mechanical energy is a simple pendulum. As the pendulum swings back and forth, its potential energy is highest at the maximum height of its swing, and its kinetic energy is highest at the lowest point of its swing. However, the sum of its potential and kinetic energies remains constant, neglecting any energy losses due to friction or air resistance.

It is important to note that the conservation of mechanical energy is a simplified principle that assumes no energy losses due to factors such as friction, air resistance, or non-conservative forces. In real-world situations, these factors often come into play, causing energy to be dissipated or transferred to other forms (such as heat or sound), resulting in a decrease in the total mechanical energy of the system.

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