As a meteor traveled through the atmosphere in October 1992, some of its kinetic energy was converted into light and heat. Upon impact, much of the meteor's remaining kinetic energy went into smashing the rear of this car in Peekskill, New York.
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy Conversion
Can energy be converted from one form into another?
Energy can be converted from one form to another.
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
The process of changing energy from one form to another is energy conversion. The striking of a match is a good example.
Energy Conversion
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy is converted from one form to another as this match is lit.
Energy Conversion
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Conservation of Energy
What is the law of conservation of energy?
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
When energy changes from one form to another, the total energy remains unchanged, even though many energy conversions may occur.
In a closed system, the amount of energy present at the beginning of a process is the same as the amount of energy at the end.
Conservation of Energy
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
The work done by friction changes kinetic energy into thermal energy.
Conservation of Energy
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Although speed skaters slide quickly over smooth ice, they are still slowed down by friction with the air and the surface of the ice.
Conservation of Energy
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy Conversions
What energy conversion takes place as an object falls toward Earth?
The gravitational potential energy of an object is converted to the kinetic energy of motion as the object falls.
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
One of the most common energy conversions is between potential energy and kinetic energy.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Some gulls use energy conversion to obtain food by dropping oysters onto rocks. Kinetic energy causes the shell to break on collision with the rock.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy Conversion in Pendulums
A pendulum consists of a weight swinging back and forth from a rope or string.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Pendulum clocks use pendulums to maintain accurate time.
The time it takes for a pendulum to swing back and forth once is precisely related to its length.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy Conversion and the Pole Vault
In the pole vault, an athlete uses �a flexible pole to propel himself �over a high bar.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Some of the pole-vaulter’s kinetic energy is converted into elastic potential energy as the pole bends. The pole springs back into shape, propelling the pole-vaulter upward.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy Conversion Calculations
When friction is small enough to be ignored, and no mechanical energy is added to a system, then the system’s mechanical energy does not change.
Mechanical energy = KE + PE
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
The law of conservation of energy applies to any mechanical process. If friction can be neglected, the total mechanical energy remains constant.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
At a construction site, a 1.50-kg brick is dropped from rest and hits the ground at a speed of 26.0 m/s. Assuming air resistance can be ignored, calculate the gravitational potential energy of the brick before it was dropped.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Read and Understand
What information are you given?
What unknown are you trying to calculate?
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Read and Understand
What information are you given?
What unknown are you trying to calculate?
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Plan and Solve
What equations or formulas contain the given quantities and the unknown?
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Plan and Solve
What equations or formulas contain the given quantities and the unknown?��Because the brick falls without air resistance, the conservation of mechanical energy equation can be used.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Plan and Solve
You will also need to use the formula for kinetic energy (KE). ����Note that the KE at the beginning is zero because the brick has not yet begun to fall. Also, when the brick hits the ground, its potential energy is zero. Substitute these values into the conservation of energy formula.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Plan and Solve
Substitute the formula for KE. �����Substitute the known values and calculate the PE.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Plan and Solve
Substitute the formula for KE. �����Substitute the known values and calculate the PE.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Look Back and Check
Is your answer reasonable?�
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Look Back and Check
Is your answer reasonable?�
Check the answer by finding the initial height of the brick, using PE = 507 J = mgh. Substituting in m and g gives h = 34.5 m. This is a reasonable height for an object in free fall to reach a speed of 26.0 m/s.
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
1. A 10-kg rock is dropped and hits the ground below at a speed of 60 m/s. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the rock before it was dropped. You can ignore the effects of friction.� �Answer: �
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
1. A 10-kg rock is dropped and hits the ground below at a speed of 60 m/s. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the rock before it was dropped. You can ignore the effects of friction.� �Answer: �(PE)beginning = (KE)end = ½mv2
=(0.50)(10 kg)(60 m/s)2 = 18,000 J
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
2. A diver with a mass of 70.0 kg stands motionless at the top of a 3.0-m-high diving platform. Calculate his potential energy relative to the water surface while standing on the platform, and his speed when he enters the pool. (Hint: Assume the diver’s initial vertical speed after diving is zero.) ��Answer:
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
2. A diver with a mass of 70.0 kg stands motionless at the top of a 3.0-m-high diving platform. Calculate his potential energy relative to the water surface while standing on the platform, and his speed when he enters the pool. (Hint: Assume the diver’s initial vertical speed after diving is zero.) ��Answer:
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
3. A pendulum with a 1.0-kg weight is set in motion from a position 0.04 m above the lowest point on the path of the weight. What is the kinetic energy of the pendulum at the lowest point? (Hint: Assume there is no friction.) ��Answer: �
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
3. A pendulum with a 1.0-kg weight is set in motion from a position 0.04 m above the lowest point on the path of the weight. What is the kinetic energy of the pendulum at the lowest point? (Hint: Assume there is no friction.) ��Answer: ��(PE)beginning = mgh
= (1.0 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(0.04 m) = 0.4 J;
at the beginning, KE = 0, and at the lowest point, PE = 0;
therefore (PE)beginning = (KE)end = 0.4 J
Energy Conversions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Energy and Mass
How are energy and mass related?
Einstein’s equation, E = mc2, says that energy and mass are equivalent and can be converted into each other.
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Albert Einstein developed his special theory of relativity in 1905. This theory included the now-famous equation E = mc2.
Energy and Mass
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Albert Einstein made important contributions to many areas of physics.
His theory of special relativity showed that energy and mass are equivalent.
Energy and Mass
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Suppose 1 gram of matter were entirely converted into energy.��E = mc2 �= (10–3 kg) × (3 × 108 m/s) × (3 × 108 m/s)
= 9 × 1013 kg•m2/s2
= 9 × 1013 J�
1 gram of TNT produces only 2931 joules of energy.
Energy and Mass
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
In nuclear fission and fusion reactions, however, large amounts of energy are released by the destruction of very small amounts of matter.
The law of conservation of energy has been modified to say that mass and energy together are always conserved.
Energy and Mass
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
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Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation
�ANS: F, law of conservation of energy
Assessment Questions
15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation