Conservation of mechanical energy
Slide down a frictionless incline and watch potential energy turn entirely into kinetic energy.
An object is released from rest at the top of a frictionless incline. Neglecting resistance, the decrease in gravitational potential energy equals the increase in kinetic energy, so the mechanical energy stays constant throughout. Mass changes the energy values but not the time taken to slide down.
Potential to kinetic energy conversion
At every instant the two curves add up to the constant total mechanical energy.
Think about it
If only the object's mass is increased to 2 times its original value, how do the sliding time and the mechanical energy change?
The sliding time is unchanged, and the mechanical energy becomes 2 times its original value. The acceleration does not depend on mass, whereas the total mechanical energy E = mgh is proportional to mass.
Model assumptionsFixed 30° frictionless incline · Released from rest · Zero of potential energy at the bottom · Replays automatically on reaching the bottom
Data log
Set the parameters and click “Record data”. Record several rows with different parameters to plot their relationship and fit a straight line; pause and record at different times to study how a reading changes with time.