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 equation:

Where:

• \( ME \) — Mechanical energy (Joules)
• \( KE \) — Kinetic energy (Joules)
• \( PE \) — Potential energy (Joules)

Explanation: Mechanical energy is conserved in a system when only conservative forces act on the objects in the system.

3. Importance of Mechanical Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating mechanical energy is fundamental in physics for understanding energy conservation, motion, and interactions in mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both kinetic and potential energy values in Joules. Both values must be non-negative numbers.

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 always conserved?
A: Mechanical energy is conserved only when all forces acting on the system are conservative (like gravity).

Q3: What's the difference between KE and PE?
A: Kinetic energy is energy of motion (½mv²), while potential energy is stored energy due to position (mgh for gravitational PE).

Q4: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: While individual components might be negative in some reference frames, the total mechanical energy is typically positive.

Q5: How does this relate to work-energy theorem?
A: The work-energy theorem states that work done on a system equals its change in mechanical energy.