Simulation · Physics · Class 11

Where does the energy go on a rough patch?

From the lesson Conservation of mechanical energy in Work, Energy and Power. Change the values and watch what happens.

The idea behind it

NCERT § "The Conservation of Mechanical Energy"

If only conservative forces do work on a body, its total mechanical energy K + V stays constant.
A body falling freely from height H has the same total energy mgH at every point: potential energy turns into kinetic energy as it falls.
Speed at the bottom of a smooth curved track depends only on the height dropped, v = √(2gh), not on the shape of the track.
For a bob whirled in a vertical circle on a string of length L, the minimum speed at the lowest point for completing the circle is √(5gL), and the minimum speed at the top is √(gL).
When non-conservative forces like friction act, the loss in mechanical energy equals the work done against them: (K + V)_initial − (K + V)_final = work done against friction.
The energy lost to friction is not destroyed; it appears mainly as heat, so total energy is still conserved.

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