Encyclopedia Of Energy

Mechanical Energy JOSEPH PRIEST Miami University Oxford, Ohio, United States 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Mechanical Energy Work Kinetic Energy Work–Energy Principle Conservative and Nonconservative Forces Potential Energy Conservation of Mechanical Energy Energy Conversion Applications of Mechanical Energy Glossary conservative force When the net work done by a force is zero for every path that ends up at the starting point. energy The capacity or ability of an object to do work, with the joule (J) as the measuring unit. Hooke’s Law When an elastic object exerts a force proportional to the displacement of the object and in the opposite direction. joule (J) The unit of work and energy; a force of 1 newton (N) acting over a distance of 1 m does 1 J of work. kinetic energy The ability of an object to do work as a result of having mass and speed; in terms of mass (m) and speed (v), kinetic energy is 12mv2 : mechanical energy The sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy of an object. nonconservative force When the net work done by a force is not zero in a path that ends up at the starting point. potential energy The ability of an object to do work as a result of an advantageous position. power The rate of doing work or converting energy; the watt (W) is the metric measuring unit, where 1 W is equal to a rate of 1 J per second. restoring force A force on an object that tends to restore the object to its condition prior to application of the force. watt (W) A rate of doing work or converting energy; the watt is the metric measuring unit, where a rate of doing wo