Unit 6 Variables

Le Variables Quiz

K

kinetic energy: energy of motion (J)

U_g

gravitational potential energy: energy stored in a gravitational field (J)

U_s

spring potential energy: energy stored in something squished or stretched (J)

E_therm

thermal energy (J)

[ΣE]SigmaE

Mechanical energy of a system; changed by external work, collisions, or a heat source (J)

[Δy]Deltay (energy)

when calculating [Δ]DeltaU_g: height change of the center of mass (m)

[Δx]Deltax (springs)

compression/stretch of spring from equilibrium (m)

k (springs)

Spring constant (N/m)

g

gravitational field strength (m/s² or N/kg)

W (effect)

work: a change in mechanical energy (J)

The Mechanical Energy of the object system is

[ΣE]SigmaE= K

The Mechanical Energy of the object-spring system is

[ΣE]SigmaE= K + U_s

Work (effect): work is a change in a system’s mechanical energy

W = [ΔE]DeltaE = E_f - E₀

The Mechanical Energy of the object-Earth system is

[ΣE]SigmaE= K + U_g

The Mechanical Energy of the spring-Earth system is

[ΣE]SigmaE= U_s + U_g

The Mechanical Energy of the object-spring-Earth system is

[ΣE]SigmaE= K + U_s + U_g