P1: Conservation and Dissipation of Energy

Closed System

An object or group of objects with a constant total energy that does not exchange energy with its surroundings.

Conservation of Energy

The principle that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed

Dissipated Energy

Energy that is not usefully transferred or stored and is instead lost to the surroundings in less useful ways

Efficiency

The ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input of a device or system

Hooke's Law

A principle that states that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied

Input Energy

The energy supplied to a device or system to perform work or produce an output.

Power

The rate at which energy is transformed or transferred per unit time. It is measured in watts (W).

Spring Constant

The force required to extend or compress a spring by a certain amount. It is expressed as force per unit extension.

Useful Energy

Energy that is transferred to where it is needed and used in the desired way to perform useful work or produce a desired effect.

Wasted Energy

Energy that is not usefully transferred or stored and is lost to the surroundings without performing any useful work.

Work

The energy transferred to an object by the application of a force over a distance. It is calculated as the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force.