Energy and Work - A comprehensive guide explaining the relationship between kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical work in physics.
• Work and Energy Relationship: Work represents energy in transit, while energy represents a body's capacity to perform work through various forms including kinetic, potential, and mechanical energy.
• Kinetic Energy Formula: The fundamental equation K = ½mv² describes the energy possessed by moving objects, where m is mass and v is velocity.
• Conservation of Energy: The principle states that total mechanical energy (E = K + U) remains constant in an isolated system, though individual components may change.
• Work Calculations: Work is calculated using L = F·s·cosα, where F is force, s is displacement, and α is the angle between force and displacement.