Mechanical Energy Conservation

The Mechanical Energy Conservation Video Tutorial explains what is meant by mechanical energy conservation and the conditions under which mechanical energy is conserved. Mechanical energy conservation is contrasted with situations in which energy is transferred across the boundary as a result of external forces doing work. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

Under what conditions is mechanical energy conserved?
What is meant by saying that mechanical energy is conserved?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Concept Builders, Work and Energy section: Up and Down with Energy
Our Concept Builders provide great practice. Most are very incremental, beginning with the basic concept and building upward from there. This is a great example of that approach. Use mechanical energy conservation to analyze a projectile's motion.

Minds On Physics, Work and Energy Module. Missions WE7 and WE8
Minds On Physics is a unqiue set of questioning modules that present questions and provide immediate feedback to student response. When difficulty is detected, it continuously presents similar questions to target your difficulties. Each question is accompanied by a rather extensive discussion of how to approach the question. You want to learn? Devote some time to "MOPs".

Concept Builders, Work and Energy section: Energy Analysis 1
Analyze the energy of a water park rider or some other object undergoing an up and down motion. Use your calculator and mechanical energy conservation to complete the analysis.

Calculator Pad, Work and Energy Problem Set, Problems #15-18, #21
Our Calculator Pad section consists of a collection of problems on varied topics, Each problem comes with an answer and an audio file that extensively addresses the solution. What more do you need? If your course emphasizes problem-solving, then we would emphasize that you make the Calculator Pad your friend.

Physics Interactives, Work and Energy section, Roller Coaster Simulation
The best way to learn is by playing. And our simulations allow you to do just that. Change a variable and see what effects the change can have. Repeat. Explore. Learn. Try this one on roller coasters and energy.

The Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power Chapter, Analyzing Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved
Sometimes you need to quickly brush up on a topic. Our Tutorial section helps you do just that. This page is the written version of our Tutorial. Give it try.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner, Work, Energy, and Power Section: Energy
Get students active and thinking with one of our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. The following three makes a good fit to this video:
Work-Energy Relationships
Energy Concepts
Work-Energy Calculations

Teacher Toolkits, Work-Energy Relationships
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on work and energy a try.

Concept Builders, Work and Energy section: Up and Down with Energy
This Concept Builder incrementally builds on the idea of energy conservation. Students begin determining values of KE and PE for the up-and-down motion of a ball. By the end of the exercise, they are calculated height and speed values based on the energy analysis.

Minds On Physics, Work and Energy Module. Missions WE7 and WE8
"MOPs" is a tough task-master. But when you finish a mission, you know you understand the material. Take the challenge. Try these Minds On Physics mission and improve your game.

Concept Builders, Work and Energy section: Energy Analysis 1
This Concept Builder will provide students with some awesome practice with the quantitative side of this topic. And if you hae a Task Tracker account, you can assign the task and know how students have done.

Calculator Pad, Work and Energy Problem Set, Problems #15-18, #21
The Calculator Pad consists of problems with answers and audio-guided solutions. It's a great way to learn. It's a great place to send your students.

Physics Interactives, Work and Energy section, Roller Coaster Simulation
This simulation and accompanying exercise provide a controlled and playful environment that allows students to think about ideas that pertain to the energy of a roller coaster.

The Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power Chapter, Analyzing Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved
The Physics Classroom Tutorial is a great place to brush up on a topic. Its easy-to-understand language combined with informative graphics and appeals to your sense of reason make this a powerful learning tool. This page is the written equivalent of the video.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.