How is mechanical energy related to potential energy and to kinetic energy?

Answer 1

The relationship is that mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy plus potential energy.

Think of a brick sitting on the edge of a table. The brick has potential energy proportional to the mass of the brick and the height of the table:

E = m g h where m = mass, g = gravitational acceleration, h = height

If the brick falls off the edge, it will begin to accelerate at g, the rate of gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s2). If v is the velocity of the brick, it has kinetic energy proportional to the quare of the velocity:

E = (m v2)/2

Just before the brick finally hits the floor, all of its potential engergy has been converted to kinetic energy. During the moment of impact, that kinetic energy is converted to noise and vibration.

Answer 2

Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy = Mechanical Energy

Answer 3

Mechanical Energy is the total energy present in a system, which is the addition of both Potential Energy (whether it be elastic, gravitational, etc.) and Kinetic Energy.

Answer 4

they both do work