Mechanical Energy Calculator
Adds kinetic and potential energy, and uses conservation to compare two heights.
Total mechanical energy
—
Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.
Kinetic energy —
Potential energy —
Speed at the other height —
Reading this —
The formula
E = ½mv² + mgh v₂ = √(v₁² + 2g(h₁ − h₂))
Without friction, energy just moves between the two forms.
What to watch out for
Mass cancels out of the speed result, so a full and an empty roller coaster car would match, if not for friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mechanical energy?
The sum of kinetic and potential energy. Thermal and chemical energy are not included.
How fast is a coaster at the bottom of a 30 m drop, starting at 5 m/s?
At most 24.8 m/s, as friction takes a share of it in practice.