Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy - Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to potential energy and conservation of energy as discussed in lecture.

Gravitational Potential Energy

The energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field.

Conservative Force

A force is conservative if the work it does on an object is independent of the path taken.

Non-Conservative Force

A force that causes a change in the total mechanical energy of a system, often resulting in energy dissipation.

Work-Energy Theorem

A principle stating that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

Mechanical Energy Conservation

In a closed system, the total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) remains constant if only conservative forces are acting.

Net Work Done

The total work done by all forces acting on an object.

Elastic Potential Energy

The potential energy stored in an elastic object, like a spring, when it is stretched or compressed.

Kinetic Energy

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Path Independence

The concept that the work done by a conservative force is the same regardless of the path taken between two points.

Maximum Displacement

The furthest point from the equilibrium position reached by a block in oscillatory motion.