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Mechanical Energy Formula

mechanical energy formula: explore more about the mechanical energy formula with solved examples.

Mechanical energy formula

Mechanical energy is the total amount of kinetic energy and potential energy of an object used to do a particular task. Mechanical energy can also be defined as the energy of an element due to the position and/or movement of the element. The potential energy of an object comes from its position, and the kinetic energy comes from its movement. The potential energy when the object is moving is zero, and the kinetic energy when the object is stationary is zero.

Formula

M.E = K.E + P.E

M.E = ½ mv2 + mgh

Here,

m= mass of an object

v= velocity of that object

g= acceleration due to gravity

h= height of an object

Solved examples

The man sits in a 20m high building and weighs 50kg. Calculate mechanical energy?

The given parameters are: 

 m = 50 kg 

 h = 20 m 

 Since the man does not move, the equation for K.E = 0

 mechanical energy 

 M.E = 1/2 mv2 + mgh 

 K.E is 0, so the equation is as follows. , 

 ME = mgh 

 ME = 50 × 9.81 × 20

 ME  = 9810 J

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Mechanical Energy Formula.

Is mechanical energy always conserved or not?

Ans. Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in the system. Mechanical energy is saved a...Read full

What is mechanical energy?

Ans. Mechanical energy is the total amount of kinetic energy and potential energy of an object used to do a particul...Read full

Does fiction play a role in affecting mechanical energy?

Ans. The mechanical energy of the system remains constant unless there is a loss of energy due to friction. As speed...Read full