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What is kinetic energy?
Energy of motion, $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$
What is gravitational potential energy?
Energy due to an object's height, $PE_g = mgh$
What is elastic potential energy?
Energy stored in a spring, $PE_e = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$
What is mechanical energy?
The sum of kinetic and potential energies: $ME = KE + PE$
Define a conservative force.
A force where energy can be converted between KE and PE without loss (e.g., gravity, spring force).
What is work in terms of energy?
The transfer of energy to or from a system.
What is the effect of nonconservative forces doing work on a system?
The total mechanical energy of the system changes; energy is often lost as heat or sound.
What happens when only conservative forces act on a system?
The total mechanical energy of the system is conserved.
What is the effect of friction on a moving object?
Friction does negative work, reducing the kinetic energy of the object and converting it to thermal energy.
What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
Kinetic: energy of motion. Potential: stored energy due to position or configuration.
Conservative vs. Nonconservative Forces?
Conservative: Energy is converted back and forth. Nonconservative: Energy is dissipated as heat or sound.
Positive work vs. Negative work?
Positive work: adds energy to the system. Negative work: removes energy from the system.