Question

A moving particle is subject to conservative forces only. When its kinetic energy decreases by 10 J, what happens to its mechanical energy?

Answer 1

Answer:

Its mechanical energy is the same.

Explanation:

If forces are only conservative, the mechanical energy will be the same.

It can be different if energy get transformed in another kind of energy like elastic energy for example, although the amount of energy is always the same.

If we just have mechanical energy not geting transformed we have:

Em=K+U

Em: Mechanical energy

K: Kinetic energý

U: Potential energy

Then if Kinetic energy decreases 10J, Potential energy will grow up 10J to keep the same amount of mechanical energy.