The Principle of Conservation of Energy

Summary

The principle of conservation of energy is as follows: energy cannot be created or destroyed, but may be transferred from one form of energy to another

The formulas for gravitational potential, elastic potential, and kinetic energy can be used to calculate and predict the motion of bodies as one form of energy is transferred to another

Example 1

Conservation of energy examples

Example 2

A stretched catapult stores 0.7J of elastic potential. The catapult is used to launch a marble of mass 0.01kg. Calculate the initial speed of the marble.

Answer: the stored elastic potential energy in the catapult is transferred to the marble's kinetic energy.

Conservation of energy examples

Example 3

Conservation of energy examples

Extra

Also see our notes on: