Understanding Mechanical Energy and the Conservation Principle

The video explains the law of conservation of energy, emphasizing that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed or transferred. It introduces mechanical energy, focusing on gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. The video discusses how non-conservative forces like friction affect energy dissipation. It provides a detailed explanation of gravitational potential energy, including its calculation using mass, gravity, and height. The concept of kinetic energy is also covered, with a formula provided. A pendulum is used as an example to illustrate energy conversion between potential and kinetic forms, demonstrating the conservation of mechanical energy.

What does the law of conservation of energy state?

Explain how energy can be transformed or transferred.

What is mechanical energy and how is it related to moving objects?

Describe the concept of gravitational potential energy (GPE).

How do you calculate gravitational potential energy?

What happens to kinetic energy when a pendulum swings?

Summarize the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in the context of a pendulum.