1. What is Mechanical Energy?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mechanical energy formula:

Where:

• \( m \) — Mass (kg)
• \( v \) — Velocity (m/s)
• \( g \) — Gravity (9.8 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Height (m)

Explanation: The first term represents kinetic energy (energy of motion), while the second term represents potential energy (energy due to position in a gravitational field).

3. Importance of Mechanical Energy Calculation

Details: Mechanical energy calculations are fundamental in physics and engineering for analyzing mechanical systems, conservation of energy problems, and understanding energy transformations in various physical processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, velocity in meters per second, and height in meters. All values must be valid (mass > 0, velocity ≥ 0, height ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of mechanical energy?
A: Mechanical energy is measured in joules (J) in the SI system.

Q2: Is mechanical energy conserved?
A: In conservative systems with no energy loss, mechanical energy is conserved. However, in real systems with friction, some mechanical energy is converted to other forms like heat.

Q3: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: Mechanical energy is typically positive, but potential energy can be negative depending on the reference point chosen for height measurement.

Q4: What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
A: Kinetic energy is energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy due to position or configuration.

Q5: How does mass affect mechanical energy?
A: Mechanical energy is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the mechanical energy for the same velocity and height.