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Work: the energy (measured in Joules) transferred to an object by an applied force over a
measured distance.
Work = (magnitude of the applied force) x (magnitude of the displacement)
W = FΔd
Mechanical energy (ME): the sum of gravitational potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE)
ME = PE + KE
Potential energy (PE): the ability of a system to do work due to its position or internal position
Potential energy = (mass) x (gravity) x (height)
PE = mgh
Gravity= 9.8 N/kg
Kinetic energy: the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of its motion
Kinetic energy = ((mass) x (velocity))2 / 2
KE = (mv2) / 2 or KE = ½ mv2
Efficiency: how efficient something is depends on the ratio of the energy that comes in, to the
energy that comes out.
Power (P): the rate of doing work or transforming energy, or the rate at which energy is used or
supplied. Measured in Watts, 1W = (1J/1s).
P = W / Δt