Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is energy of motion or of potential for motion

on a macroscopic scale.

Two Types

There are two main types of mechanical energy.

Two Types

They are motion energy and stored mechanical energy.

•Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power.

•A generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.

•A car is an example of something that uses mechanical energy.

•A rollercoaster is another example of something that uses mechanical energy.

Real life examples

• both linear and angular momentum are best explained in the context of real-life examples ...

Stored energy

• Stored energy is potential energy that has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy.

• A hammer is a tool which utilizes mechanical energy to do work. The mechanical energy of a hammer gives the hammer its ability to apply a force to a nail in order to cause it to be displaced.

• A dart gun is still another example of how mechanical energy of an object can do work on another object. When a dart gun is loaded and the springs are compressed, it possesses mechanical energy. The mechanical energy of the compressed springs give the springs the ability to apply a force to the dart in order to cause it to be displaced.

• A mousetrap uses mechanical energy because when they spring is set and the lever moves it has to use mechanical energy to move.

• Another example of mechanical energy would be trains because if the train has any displacement, it has mechanical energy.

• A ball that bounces would have mechanical energy because if it moves, it has mechanical energy.

• People also have mechanical energy. When they walk, run, swim, or ride a bike they are using the stored energy inside them and convert it to mechanical energy.