Mechanical Energy
Mechanical energy is the sum of the gravitational potential energy and the kinetic energy of a system. Mechanical energy, E<sub>M</sub>, is simply the sum of gravitational potential energy (E<sub>P</sub>) and the kinetic energy (E<sub>K</sub>). You may see mechanical energy written as ...
Mechanical Energy
Definition: Mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is the sum of the gravitational potential energy and the kinetic energy of a system.
Quantity: Mechanical energy (\({E}_{M}\)) Unit name: Joule Unit symbol: \(\text{J}\)
Mechanical energy, \({E}_{M}\), is simply the sum of gravitational potential energy (\({E}_{P}\)) and the kinetic energy (\({E}_{K}\)). Mechanical energy is defined as:
\[{E}_{M}={E}_{P}+{E}_{K}\]\[{E}_{M} = mgh + \frac{1}{2}m{v}^{2}\]Tip:
You may see mechanical energy written as \(U\). We will not use this notation in this book, but you should be aware that this notation is sometimes used.
Example: Mechanical Energy
Question
Calculate the total mechanical energy for a ball of mass \(\text{0.15}\) \(\text{kg}\) which has a kinetic energy of \(\text{20}\) \(\text{J}\) and is \(\text{2}\) \(\text{m}\) above the ground.
Step 1: Analyse the question to determine what information is provided
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The ball has a mass \(m = \text{0.15}\text{ kg}\)
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The ball is at a height \(h = \text{2}\text{ m}\)
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The ball has a kinetic energy \({E}_{K} = \text{20}\text{ J}\)
Step 2: Analyse the question to determine what is being asked
We need to find the total mechanical energy of the ball
Step 3: Use the definition to calculate the total mechanical energy
\begin{align*} {E}_{M} & = {E}_{P}+{E}_{K} \\ & = mgh + \frac{1}{2}m{v}^{2} \\ & = mgh + 20 \\ & = \left(\text{0.15}\text{ kg}\right)\left(\text{9.8}\text{ m·s$^{-1}$}\right)\left(\text{2}\text{ m}\right) + \text{20}\text{ J} \\ & = \text{2.94}\text{ J} + \text{20}\text{ J} \\ & = \text{22.94}\text{ J} \end{align*}This lesson is part of:
Work, Energy and Power