- Dr Sanjay Kumar Pawar
Conservation of Mechanical Energy Class 11 Physics Notes PDF | CBSE & NEET
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| Conservation of Mechanical Energy explained with a falling ball showing the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy. |
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Work, Energy and Power Class 11 Notes
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Work-Energy Theorem Explained
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Potential Energy Class 11 Notes
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Kinetic Energy Formula and Examples
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Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
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Gravitational Potential Energy Notes
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Free Fall Motion Class 11
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Laws of Motion Class 11
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Newton's Laws of Motion Notes
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Circular Motion Class 11 Notes
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System of Particles and Rotational Motion
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Gravitation Class 11 Notes
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Mechanical Properties of Solids
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Complete Class 11 Physics Notes Index
- Class 11 Physics MCQs with Answers
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CBSE Class 11 Physics Important Questions
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NEET Physics Chapter-wise Notes
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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics
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Class 11 Physics Formula Sheet
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Previous Year CBSE Class 11 Physics Questions
Conservation of Mechanical Energy - NEET Notes
Chapter 5.8
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Definition:
Mechanical Energy is the sum of Kinetic Energy (KE) and Potential Energy (PE).
Mechanical Energy = KE + PE
1. Work-Energy Theorem
Suppose a body moves through a small distance Δx under the action of force F.
According to the Work-Energy Theorem,
ΔK = F(x) Δx
This means the work done by a force changes the kinetic energy of the body.
- Positive work increases kinetic energy.
- Negative work decreases kinetic energy.
2. Conservative Force
If the force is conservative, then potential energy can be defined.
−ΔU = F(x) Δx
The negative sign shows that whenever potential energy decreases,
kinetic energy increases.
Example:
A falling stone loses potential energy and gains kinetic energy.
3. Combining the Equations
From the two equations:
ΔK = −ΔU
Therefore,
ΔK + ΔU = 0
or
Δ(K + U) = 0
4. Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Since Δ(K+U)=0, the total mechanical energy never changes.
K + U = Constant
This is called the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
5. Equation Between Two Positions
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf
The total mechanical energy before motion equals the total mechanical
energy after motion.
6. Conservative Force - Important Properties
- Potential energy can be defined.
- Work depends only on initial and final positions.
- Work does not depend on the path.
- Work done in a closed path is zero.
- Mechanical energy remains conserved.
7. Example - Falling Ball
A ball of mass m is dropped from height H.
Initially the velocity is zero.
At Height H
PE = mgH
KE = 0
EH = mgH
At Height h
PE = mgh
KE = ½mv²h
Eh = mgh + ½mv²h
At Ground Level
PE = 0
KE = ½mv²f
E0 = ½mv²f
8. Conservation of Energy
EH = Eh = E0
Since only gravity acts on the body,
mechanical energy remains constant.
mgH = mgh + ½mv²h = ½mv²f
9. Final Velocity
Using conservation of energy,
mgH = ½mv²f
After simplifying,
vf = √(2gH)
10. Velocity at Height h
mgH = mgh + ½mv²h
Therefore,
vh² = 2g(H − h)
11. Energy Conversion
| Position |
Potential Energy |
Kinetic Energy |
| Top |
Maximum |
Zero |
| Middle |
Decreasing |
Increasing |
| Ground |
Zero |
Maximum |
12. Important Points for NEET
- Mechanical Energy = KE + PE
- Gravity is a conservative force.
- Spring force is also conservative.
- Mechanical energy remains constant if only conservative forces act.
- Work done by a conservative force depends only on the initial and final positions.
- Work done in a closed path is zero.
- At the highest point, PE is maximum and KE is zero.
- At the ground, KE is maximum and PE is zero.
- Potential energy converts into kinetic energy during free fall.
13. Formula Sheet
Mechanical Energy = KE + PE
ΔK + ΔU = 0
K + U = Constant
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf
PE = mgh
KE = ½mv²
vf = √(2gH)
vh² = 2g(H − h)
Work done in a Closed Path = 0
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
What is Mechanical Energy?
Mechanical Energy is the sum of
Kinetic Energy (KE) and
Potential Energy (PE).
Mechanical Energy = KE + PE
Work-Energy Theorem
When a force acts on an object, its kinetic energy changes.
ΔKE = Work Done
For conservative forces,
Potential Energy decreases when Kinetic Energy increases.
ΔKE + ΔPE = 0
Energy Conversion During Falling
Ground
PE Zero
KE Maximum
Visual Falling Ball
⬇
As the ball falls,
Potential Energy continuously converts into Kinetic Energy.
Example
| Position |
Potential Energy |
Kinetic Energy |
Total Energy |
| Top |
100 J |
0 J |
100 J |
| Middle |
60 J |
40 J |
100 J |
| Ground |
0 J |
100 J |
100 J |
Important Formulae
PE = mgh
KE = ½mv²
KE + PE = Constant
vf = √(2gH)
vh² = 2g(H − h)
NEET Remember:
- Gravity is a conservative force.
- Total Mechanical Energy remains constant if only conservative forces act.
- At the highest point: PE is maximum and KE is zero.
- At the ground: KE is maximum and PE is zero.
- Potential Energy converts into Kinetic Energy during falling.
Class 11 Physics - Conservation of Mechanical Energy Question Bank
CBSE Class 11 Physics
Chapter 5.8 - Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Question Bank with Answers
Part A - Multiple Choice Questions
1. Mechanical energy is the sum of
- Potential energy and Heat energy
- Kinetic energy and Potential energy
- Heat energy and Electrical energy
- Sound energy and Potential energy
Answer: B
2. Mechanical energy remains constant when
- Friction acts
- Air resistance acts
- Only conservative forces act
- External force acts
Answer: C
3. Which one is a conservative force?
- Friction
- Gravity
- Air resistance
- Viscous force
Answer: B
4. Work done by a conservative force depends on
- Path followed
- Distance travelled
- Initial and final positions only
- Speed
Answer: C
5. Work done in a closed path by gravity is
- Positive
- Negative
- Zero
- Infinite
Answer: C
Part B - Very Short Answer Questions
1. Define mechanical energy.
Answer: Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.
2. Write the formula of mechanical energy.
Answer: E = KE + PE
3. Name one conservative force.
Answer: Gravitational force.
4. Write the formula of kinetic energy.
Answer: KE = ½mv²
5. Write the formula of potential energy.
Answer: PE = mgh
Part C - Short Answer Questions
1. What is conservation of mechanical energy?
Answer:
When only conservative forces act on a body, the total mechanical energy
(kinetic energy + potential energy) remains constant throughout the motion.
2. What is a conservative force?
Answer:
A conservative force is a force whose work depends only on the initial
and final positions and not on the path followed.
Examples:
Part D - Long Answer Questions
1. State the law of conservation of mechanical energy.
Answer:
If only conservative forces act on a body,
its total mechanical energy remains constant.
Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy
Initial Energy
Ki + Ui
Final Energy
Kf + Uf
Therefore,
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf
Example:
A freely falling body loses potential energy and gains kinetic energy.
The total mechanical energy remains constant.
Part E - Assertion and Reason
Assertion: Mechanical energy remains constant when only conservative forces act.
Reason: Gravity is a conservative force.
Answer:
Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Part F - Fill in the Blanks
- Mechanical energy is the sum of ______ and ______.
- Gravity is a ______ force.
- Potential energy converts into ______ during free fall.
- Work done in a closed path is ______.
- Mechanical energy remains ______ when only conservative forces act.
Answers:
- Kinetic energy, Potential energy
- Conservative
- Kinetic energy
- Zero
- Constant
Part G - Match the Columns
| Column A |
Column B |
| Gravity |
Conservative force |
| Friction |
Non-conservative force |
| Potential Energy |
mgh |
| Kinetic Energy |
½mv² |
Matching Answers
1 → Conservative force
2 → Non-conservative force
3 → mgh
4 → ½mv²
Part H - Case Study
A ball of mass 2 kg is dropped from a height of 20 m.
Ignore air resistance.
Q1. Which energy is maximum at the top?
Answer: Potential Energy
Q2. Which energy is maximum at the ground?
Answer: Kinetic Energy
Q3. Calculate total mechanical energy at the top.
Take g = 10 m/s².
PE = mgh
= 2 × 10 × 20
= 400 J
Answer = 400 Joule
Q4. Is mechanical energy conserved?
Yes. Only gravity acts.
Important Formulae
- E = KE + PE
- KE = ½mv²
- PE = mgh
- Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf
- Δ(KE + PE) = 0
- v = √(2gH)
- v² = 2g(H − h)
- Work in closed path = 0
End of CBSE Class 11 Physics Question Bank