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 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 dynamics.

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 typical 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 ideal systems with no friction or air resistance, mechanical energy is conserved. In real systems, some energy is often converted to heat.

Q3: Can mechanical energy be negative?
A: While individual components (like PE) can be negative depending on reference point, total mechanical energy is typically positive in physical systems.

Q4: What's the difference between KE and PE?
A: Kinetic energy depends on an object's motion (\( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \)), while potential energy depends on position (like \( mgh \) for gravitational PE).

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