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 an object due to its motion and position.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mechanical energy equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation simply adds the kinetic and potential energy components to determine the total mechanical energy of the system.

3. Importance of Mechanical Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating mechanical energy is fundamental in physics for understanding energy conservation in systems, analyzing motion, and solving problems in 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 common units for mechanical energy?
A: The SI unit is joules (J), though other energy units like ergs or foot-pounds may be used in different systems.

Q2: Is mechanical energy always conserved?
A: In an isolated system with only conservative forces, mechanical energy is conserved. Non-conservative forces like friction cause energy loss.

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 or configuration (like \( mgh \) for gravitational PE).

Q4: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: While individual components can be negative (depending on reference point), the total mechanical energy is typically positive in physical systems.

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