Energy Skate Park: Basics

Explore energy conservation on a skate ramp

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) and gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh). When friction is absent, total mechanical energy is conserved — it converts between KE and PE but never disappears. Adding friction introduces thermal energy: total energy (KE + PE + thermal) is always conserved, but mechanical energy decreases. The skater slows down as energy transfers to heat.