What is mechanical energy?
Q: What is mechanical energy?
A: Mechanical energy describes the potential and kinetic energy present in the components of a mechanical system.
Q: What is mechanical work?
A: Mechanical work is the transfer of a given amount of mechanical energy, such as when throwing a ball, lifting a box, crushing a soda can, or stirring a beverage.
Q: How are mechanical energy and mechanical work measured?
A: Both mechanical energy and mechanical work are measured in the same units as energy in general.
Q: What is a state function?
A: A state function is when a component of a system has a certain amount of mechanical energy.
Q: What does "mechanical work" describe?
A: "Mechanical work" describes the amount of mechanical energy a component has gained or lost.
Q: What is the principle of conservation of mechanical energy?
A: The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that under certain conditions, the total mechanical energy of a system is constant.
Q: Does the conservation of mechanical energy hold when mechanical energy is converted to other forms?
A: No, the rule does not hold when mechanical energy is converted to other forms, such as chemical, nuclear, or electromagnetic. However, the principle of general conservation of energy is an unbroken rule of physics.
