1- Define the energy and name three of its forms.
2- What is the difference between conservative and non-conservative force? Give an example of each force.
3- Write down the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
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1- Energy can be defined as the capacity of a system to perform work or transfer heat. Three forms of energy are:
- Kinetic energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its motion. The equation for kinetic energy is KE = (1/2)mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.
- Potential energy: The energy stored in an object due to its position or state. There are different types of potential energy, such as gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and chemical potential energy.
- Thermal energy: The energy associated with the motion of particles within a system. It is related to the temperature of the system and is responsible for heat transfer.
2- A conservative force is one that does not dissipate energy or convert it into a different form. It conserves the mechanical energy of a system. An example of a conservative force is gravity. When an object is lifted vertically against the force of gravity, potential energy is gained, and when the object falls back down, the potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy, demonstrating that the mechanical energy is conserved.
A non-conservative force, on the other hand, is one that dissipates or removes energy from a system. Friction is an example of a non-conservative force. When an object slides on a rough surface, the work done against the friction force is converted into heat and is lost as energy. This results in a decrease in the mechanical energy of the system.
3- The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that the total mechanical energy of a system remains constant if no external forces, such as friction or air resistance, are present. In other words, the sum of an object's kinetic energy and potential energy remains constant. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
Initial Mechanical Energy = Final Mechanical Energy
This principle applies to systems where the only forces acting on the object are conservative forces, ensuring that energy is conserved throughout the system.