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💬 Energy of motion and place
A rolling ball and a raised stone both can do work. One has energy because it moves, the other because of where it is. Together these make mechanical energy.
What are the two forms of mechanical energy?
Mechanical energy
Motion or position
1. Kinetic energy
Energy of motion
Example:
A rolling ball
2. Potential energy
Energy of position
Example:
A raised stone
What is mechanical energy?
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical
to do with motion and position
Energy
the capacity to do work
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Mechanical energy
= the energy an object has because of its
motion
(kinetic) or its
position
(potential). ME = K + U.
- Mechanical energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion or its position .
- We quantify it using the idea of work: energy of motion is kinetic energy , and energy of position or configuration is potential energy .
Important Definitions
- Mechanical energy — the energy that an object possesses due to its motion or its position.
