Final answer:
In track and field events like the long jump and the shot put, both kinetic and potential energy are evident as athletes convert potential energy into kinetic energy during their performance. The transformation of this energy is done through mechanical work, with mechanical power describing the rate of work done.
Step-by-step explanation:
In explosive track and field events such as the long jump and the shot put, the most evident mechanical quantities are kinetic energy and potential energy. During these events, athletes convert their stored potential energy into motion, or kinetic energy. For example, in the long jump, an athlete harnesses potential energy when crouching and then converts it to kinetic energy while running and jumping. Similarly, in the shot put, the athlete gathers potential energy while coiling their body and transforms it into kinetic energy to launch the shot. The process of transferring this energy is known as doing mechanical work, and the rate at which this work is done is described as mechanical power.
Furthermore, according to the conservation of energy, the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in a closed system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force. This fundamental principle of conservation of energy plays a crucial role in analyzing the movements of athletes in sports events.