Question

The mechanical energy of a bicycle at the top of a hill is 6000 j. The bicycle stops at the bottom of the hill by applying the brakes. If the gravitational potential energy of the bicycle-earth system is 2000 j at the bottom of the hill, how much mechanical energy was converted into thermal energy?.

Answer 1

Explanation: POTENTIAL ENERGY is stored energy, energy ready to go. A race car at the starting line of a race, a bicycle on top of a hill, and students waiting to go home from school are all examples of potential energy.

A moving bicycle has mechanical energy. When you apply the brakes, the bicycle's mechanical energy is not destroyed. The mechanical energy is transformed into thermal energy. Friction between the brake pad of a car and the moving wheel transforms mechanical energy into thermal energy (heat).

During braking, 60% of the kinetic energy of the bicycle and rider is converted to thermal energy in the brake blocks.