1. What is Mechanical Energy?

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in a system. It represents the total energy of motion and position that an object has.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mechanical energy equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Mechanical energy (joules)
• \( KE \) — Kinetic energy (joules)
• \( PE \) — Potential energy (joules)

Explanation: The equation simply adds together the kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy due to position) to get the total mechanical energy.

3. Importance of Mechanical Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating mechanical energy is fundamental in physics for understanding energy conservation in systems, analyzing mechanical systems, and solving problems in classical mechanics.

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 for mechanical energy?
A: Mechanical energy is measured in joules (J) in the International System of Units.

Q2: Is mechanical energy always conserved?
A: In an ideal, closed system with no non-conservative forces (like friction), mechanical energy is conserved.

Q3: What's the difference between KE and PE?
A: Kinetic energy is energy of motion (\( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \)), while potential energy is stored energy due to position (like gravitational PE = mgh).

Q4: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: While individual components (KE or PE) can be negative in some reference frames, the total mechanical energy is typically positive.

Q5: How is this different from total energy?
A: Total energy includes all forms (thermal, chemical, nuclear, etc.), while mechanical energy only includes kinetic and potential forms.