Physics
A spring is compressed storing potential energy. When the spring is released it propels an object forward. What change would you notice in the total mechanical energy of the system?
- It increases
- It decreases
- It becomes zero
- It remains constant
Answer
It remains constant
Reason — When the spring is compressed, it stores potential energy. Upon release, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the spring propels an object forward. Assuming there are no significant external forces acting on the system (such as friction), the total mechanical energy of the system remains constant.
Related Questions
According to the principle of conservation of mechanical energy :
- Potential energy of a system is always greater than its kinetic energy
- Kinetic energy of a system is always greater than its potential energy
- Mechanical energy is always converted into heat energy
- Total mechanical energy of a system remains constant if no external force is worked on it.
A skater is gliding on a smooth ice surface. What happens to his mechanical energy as he skates?
- It increases
- It decreases
- It becomes zero
- It remains constant
A a body is released from a height. During its motion in striking the ground, the quantity which does not change is:
- momentum
- kinetic energy
- potential energy
- mechanical energy
A pendulum is oscillating on either side of its rest position. The correct statement is :
- It has only the kinetic energy at its each position.
- It has the maximum kinetic energy at its extreme position.
- It has the maximum potential energy at its mean position.
- The sum of its kinetic energy and potential energy remains constant throughout the motion.