Mechanical energy conservation

• Mechanical Energy

  • Potential Energy (PE)
  • Kinetic Energy (KE)
• If the cart moves from position H to O

  1. Potential energy decreases

  2. Height decreases

  3. Kinetic energy increases

  4. Speed increases
• From point O to P

  1. Potential energy increases

  2. Kinetic energy decreases

  3. Speed decreases
• At the top of the hill, the car is stationary
• As the car begins to move down the hill

  Potential energy begins to be converted to kinetic energy
• The car gathers speed until it reaches back on top of the hill

  Kinetic energy is converted back to potential energy
• In an ideal system, there are no losses due to friction or air resistance.
• The total mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE).
• As the object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases.