14 - Conservation of Energy

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the conservation of energy, including forces, energy types, and principles outlined in the lecture.

Conservative force

A force is conservative if the work it does on a moving object is independent of the object's path.

Non-conservative force

A force is non-conservative if the work it does on a moving object depends on the object's path.

Potential energy (PE)

The energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field, calculated as PE = mgh.

Kinetic energy (KE)

The energy of an object due to its motion, calculated as KE = 1/2 mv².

Total mechanical energy

The sum of kinetic and potential energy in a system, which is conserved in a conservative system.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Total energy of an isolated system remains constant—it is conserved over time.

Work done by friction

The energy lost to friction, which is dependent on the distance an object moves along a surface.

Energy transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another, such as from potential energy to kinetic energy.

Elastic potential energy

The energy stored in elastic materials as they are stretched or compressed.

Mechanical energy conservation

In a conservative system, the total mechanical energy is constant over time.

Nonconservative work

The work done by nonconservative forces, which changes the total mechanical energy of the system.

Gravitational potential energy (ΔPEg)

The change in gravitational potential energy between two points is independent of the path taken.