Question

A child pushes a toy car down a hill. after 5 seconds, the car has kinetic energy of 115 J and a gravitational potential energy of 30 J. What is the car’s mechanical energy at that time.

Answer 1

Mechanical energy = 145 Joules

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following data;

Kinetic energy = 115J

Gravitational Potential energy = 30J

To find the mechanical energy;

Mechanical energy = kinetic energy + gravitational potential energy

Substituting into the equation, we have

Mechanical energy = 115 + 30

Mechanical energy = 145 Joules.

Mechanical energy can be defined as the ability (capacity) to do work. The two (2) main types of mechanical energy are;

a. Gravitational potential energy (GPE): it is an energy possessed by an object or body due to its position above the earth.

b. Kinetic energy (KE): it is an energy possessed by an object or body due to its motion.