Conservation of Mechanical Energy: potential and kinetic energy

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Kinetic and potential energy conservation


Conservation of Mechanical Energy

The sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy of an object that moves under gravity remains constant throughout its journey.

Kinetic Energy(KE)

The energy possessed by a moving object is called Kinetic energy.

 

 

If the mass and the velocity of an object are m and v respectively,

KE = 1/2 mv2

Gravitational Potential Energy(GPE)

The energy possessed by an object due to its position is called its potential energy.

GPE = mgh

m, g and h are mass, acceleration due to gravity and height respectively.

If an object moves under gravity in the absence of air resistance, according to the Conservation of Mechanical Energy,

KE + GPE = constant.

You can practise it and see for yourself with the following applet:



  

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