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mechanical energy JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/məˈkænɪkəl ˈɛnərdʒi/ · me·chan·i·cal en·er·gy
noun
  1. The sum of kinetic and potential energy possessed by an object or system due to its motion and position. A swinging pendulum has mechanical energy that is constantly exchanged between kinetic and gravitational potential forms.
  2. In physics, the total macroscopic energy of a system, distinct from internal, thermal, or chemical energy. When a car brakes, its mechanical energy is transformed into heat, reducing the system’s mechanical energy.
Did you know? The concept of mechanical energy was cemented by James Prescott Joule in the 1840s, whose experiments showed that mechanical work could be converted into heat, laying groundwork for the law of energy conservation.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 15, 2026