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Mechanical Energy and Its Conservation

Note that these laws apply to conservative forces only

 

 

 

General Form of the Work Energy Principle

 

ΔKE + ΔPE = 0         or        (KE2 - KE1) + (PE2 - PE1) = 0

 

   

 

Total Mechanical Energy, E

 

E = KE + PE

 

 

From the General Form Above

KE2 + PE2 = KE1 + PE1

Or

E2 = E1 = constant           Total Mechanical Energy is Conserved