Energy Transfer in Clocks: Kinetic to Gravitational & Elastic Potential Energy

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ryanzmw
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on energy transfers in clocks, specifically a pendulum clock and a coil clock. For the pendulum clock, the energy transfer is identified as kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy and back to kinetic energy. The coil clock's energy transfer is described as kinetic energy to elastic potential energy and back to kinetic energy. Participants debate whether to include sound energy and heat losses due to friction in their answers, with a consensus leaning towards focusing on mechanical energy conservation for GCSE-level questions. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between useful energy transfers and waste energy in energy transfer discussions.
Ryanzmw
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Ok, so we've been set some pretty easy homework involving energy transfers e.g. Kinetic energy --> sound energy..

And in 1 of these questions it involves 2 clock which require no electricity to function the first is a pendulum clock with a cord where you lift up a weight which will slowly fall powering the clock. So here's what I put:
Kinetic energy--> Gravitational potential energy--> Kinetic energy.

The second clock has a coil which is tightened and as it slowly unravels it powers the clock. So here what I put:

Kinetic energy-->Elastic potential energy--> Kinetic energy.

Now here's my problem in these basic G.C.S.E. Transfer questions should I include Sound energy? (for the clock ticking.)

Would you of put the sane answers as me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For GCSE, I probably wouldn't consider sound energy, and just base it on mechanical energy conservation.

But actually, there is heat generated due to friction, at the hinges, friction due to air resistance also causes heat. And of course, there is sound energy loss. It might even have a very very very tiny electric energy loss/gain due to 'rubbing' with air molecules, and getting/losing electrons.
 
Infinitum said:
For GCSE, I probably wouldn't consider sound energy, and just base it on mechanical energy conservation.

But actually, there is heat generated due to friction, at the hinges, friction due to air resistance also causes heat. And of course, there is sound energy loss. It might even have a very very very tiny electric energy loss/gain due to 'rubbing' with air molecules, and getting/losing electrons.

But for energy transfers do you include waste energy?
 
Ryanzmw said:
But for energy transfers do you include waste energy?

As a general trend, assuming a friction free environment, and no air(no air=no tick-tock :wink:), basically, you cannot have any of the waste energy losses I listed. This is probably what your question asks for. Just pure KE and PE.
 
Yeah that's what I initially thought but then had some doubts. Thanks though. :)
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Back
Top