Front

What is the principle of conservation of mechanical energy?

Back

The principle states that in the absence of non-conservative forces (like friction), the total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) of an object remains constant.

Front

What is friction and how does it affect mechanical energy?

Back

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It converts mechanical energy into thermal energy, causing a loss in the total mechanical energy of a system.

Front

Define gravitation in the context of physics.

Back

Gravitation is a universal force that attracts two bodies towards each other, proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

Front

What is mechanical advantage?

Back

Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the output force produced by a machine to the input force applied, allowing a smaller input force to lift a larger load.

Front

State the Law of Moments.

Back

The Law of Moments states that for a lever in equilibrium, the clockwise moments about a pivot point equal the counterclockwise moments.

Front

What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

Back

PE_g = mgh, where PE_g is gravitational potential energy, m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above a reference point.

Front

Explain kinetic energy and its formula.

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its motion, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is energy due to motion, while potential energy is stored energy based on an object's position or configuration.

Front

How does the Law of Conservation of Energy apply to mechanical systems?

Back

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In mechanical systems, the total energy remains constant unless acted upon by external forces.

Front

What role does torque play in machines?

Back

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It is crucial in machines for performing work, especially in levers and gears.