The conservation of kinetic energy is a fundamental principle of physics which states that the total amount of kinetic energy in a closed system remains constant over time. This means that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another.
The conservation of kinetic energy is a specific application of the law of conservation of energy. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. The conservation of kinetic energy specifically refers to the transformation of kinetic energy within a closed system.
No, the conservation of kinetic energy only applies to mechanical energy, which includes the energy of an object in motion. Other forms of energy, such as thermal energy or chemical energy, do not necessarily follow the principle of conservation of kinetic energy.
No, the conservation of kinetic energy is not affected by external forces as long as the system remains closed. External forces may change the amount of kinetic energy within the system, but the total amount of kinetic energy will remain constant.
One example of the conservation of kinetic energy is a pendulum. As the pendulum swings back and forth, the potential energy at the top of the swing is converted into kinetic energy at the bottom of the swing and vice versa. The total amount of kinetic energy remains constant throughout the motion. Another example is a rollercoaster, where the potential energy gained from climbing to the top of a hill is converted into kinetic energy as the car moves down the hill.