mechanical energy
1
3.9
- noun
- /mɪˈkænɪkəl ˈɛnərdʒi/
- Specialized
:
energía mecánica
- The wind turbine harnesses mechanical energy from the wind to generate electricity.
- convert mechanical energy
- mechanical energy into electricity
- Total mechanical energy
Examples
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Cars convert chemical energy from gasoline into mechanical energy that fires pistons and drives a car forward.
Blog text (7) -
And at this point, let's just think about what our mechanical energy tells us.
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The fuel source is converted into heat energy, which then is converted into steam that is used to produce mechanical energy in a turbine.
Academic text (2008) -
Instead of producing mechanical power for the purposes of pumping and grinding, the new machines convert mechanical energy into electricity.
Academic text (2004) -
Hydroelectric dams have generators that convert the mechanical energy of rushing water into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.
Academic text (2008) -
When the roller coaster descends, its mechanical energy increases as it speeds up from potential energy to kinetic energy.
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In a pendulum, mechanical energy is constantly transformed between potential energy and kinetic energy as it swings back and forth.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'mechanical' (relating to mechanics, machines, or motion) combined with 'energy' yields energy associated with mechanical systems — i.e. energy due to motion or position. This follows a regular English adjective+noun pattern and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows both words will be able to infer the intended meaning (aside from finer technical physics distinctions).
Etymology
Mechanical energy comes from the words mechanical (about moving parts or machines) and energy (the power to cause 'movement' or 'work'). So mechanical energy means the energy an object has because it is moving or because of its position, like a turning windmill or a raised weight.