Mechanical Energy – Lesson Summary

This is a lesson summary. The full lesson can be viewed by purchasing an online course subscription.

Learning Objective

In this lesson we will learn about the two forms of mechanical energy – kinetic energy and potential energy.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Define ‘energy’ and state the units for measuring energy.
  • Define ‘mechanical energy’ and name the two main forms of mechanical energy.
  • Differentiate between kinetic energy and potential energy, with examples.
  • Calculate kinetic energy.
  • Differentiate between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy, with examples.
  • Calculate gravitational potential energy.
  • Define ‘total mechanical energy’.
  • Calculate total mechanical energy.

 
mechanical energy lesson contents

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Lesson Topics

1 | Mechanical Energy

2 | Kinetic Energy

3 | Potential Energy

4 | Total Mechanical Energy

5 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • Energy is the ability to do work.
  • Energy is measured in joules (J).
  • Mechanical energy is energy possessed by on object due to its motion or position.
  • Mechanical energy includes kinetic energy and potential energy.
  • Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion.
  • Kinetic energy can be calculated using the formula:
  • calculating kinetic energy formula summary
  • Mechanical potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position.
  • Mechanical potential energy includes gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.
  • Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object as the result of its vertical position.
  • Gravitational potential energy can be calculated using the formula:
  • calculating gravitational potential energy formula summary
  • Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in a spring or other elastic object as a result of being stretched, compressed or twisted.
  • Total mechanical energy is the sum of an object’s kinetic energy and its potential energy.
  • Total mechanical energy can be calculated using the formula:
  • calculating total mechanical energy formula summary

 
 
helicopter total mechanical energy

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