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Physics · Glossary

What is Mechanical energy?

Definition 18.9 High School Physics · Chapter 18 — Mechanical Energy and Its Conservation

The mechanical energy of a body is

Em=Ek+Ep=12mv2+mgz.E_m = E_k + E_p = \tfrac12 m v^2 + m g z .
Energy bar chart of a frictionless coaster: at every position the E_p and E_k bars stack to the same total E_m (dashed line).
Energy bar chart of a frictionless coaster: at every position the EpE_p and EkE_k bars stack to the same total EmE_m (dashed line).
Ski jump: whatever the curve flown from A to B, only the drop z enters the energy balance.
Ski jump: whatever the curve flown from AA to BB, only the drop Δz\Delta z enters the energy balance.
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