Is energy conserved in an object sliding down an inclined plane on ice?

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SUMMARY

Energy is conserved in an object sliding down an inclined plane on ice, albeit with minor losses due to friction. When a wooden block slides down an inclined plane with a coefficient of friction of 0.05, the potential energy converts to kinetic energy, while a small portion is dissipated as thermal energy due to friction with the ice. The discussion confirms that while energy transformations occur, the overall energy in the system remains conserved, including the slight increase in temperature of the ice.

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  • Understanding of potential and kinetic energy transformations
  • Familiarity with the concept of friction and its effects on energy
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and energy conservation laws
  • Experience with inclined planes in physics
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  • Study the effects of friction on energy loss in sliding objects
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motleycat
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1. A ball falls to the ground through the air. Is the energy of the air conserved?2. None3. When a ball falls to the ground a transformation of energy occurs. The previously stored potential energy gradually becomes kinetic energy during its fall. The energy conserved in the air is the slight rise in temperature produced by the friction between the ball and the particles in the air. So the answer to this question is yes I think but I'm not sure.
 
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Your reasoning is correct. A (very small) part of the kinetic energy of the ball is passed on to the air molecules.
 
Seems like a strange question, but assume you have a wooden block sliding down inclined plane made of ice.
Assume some small coefficient of friction, say, .05.
Now, is energy conserved in the ice?
Is energy conserved in a pot of water when it heated from room temperature to boiling?
 

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