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radaballer
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Is there a way to transfer kinetic energy between two objects without the objects touching one another?
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radaballer said:Is there a way to transfer kinetic energy between two objects without the objects touching one another?
The energy I gain from my breakfast ultimately came from the sun, which I never touched. Does that count?CWatters said:A glider in a thermal gains PE which it can convert to KE. The energy ultimately came from the sun. Neither touch directly. Does that count?
ModusPwnd said:Depends on your definition of "touching" (which is not well defined).
Many ideas come to mind. Have heard of gravitational slingshot? Its used for crafts traveling around the solar system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_assist
Nugatory said:Think about how an induction-type electric motor works. Electrical energy flows through the stator coils, creating electromagnetic forces that spin the shaft. There's no touching there.
Transferring kinetic energy refers to the process of transferring energy from one object to another through physical contact or interaction. This can result in the receiving object gaining or losing kinetic energy, depending on the direction of the transfer.
Kinetic energy can be transferred through various mechanisms such as collisions, friction, and pressure. For example, when two objects collide, the kinetic energy of one object can be transferred to the other object. In the case of friction, the kinetic energy of an object can be transferred to the surface it is moving against.
The equation for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, where KE stands for kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is the velocity of the object. This equation shows that the amount of kinetic energy an object has is directly proportional to its mass and the square of its velocity.
No, kinetic energy cannot be transferred without any loss. This is due to the presence of external factors such as friction and air resistance, which can cause a decrease in the velocity and therefore the kinetic energy of the object. However, in an ideal scenario with no external forces, kinetic energy can be transferred without any loss.
Transferring kinetic energy is important in many real-world applications. For example, in sports, the transfer of kinetic energy from the player's body to the ball allows them to kick or throw it with more force. In machines, the transfer of kinetic energy is used to power various mechanisms and perform tasks. Understanding the principles of transferring kinetic energy also plays a crucial role in fields such as engineering and physics.