Question

Can you apply conservation of mechanical energy in real situations? If not, why not? Explain

Answer 1

In real situations it is almost impossible to apply conservation of mechanical energy .This is because of external forces (disturbances) which will act on the system which may consume energy from the system or give energy to the system

let us consider a Block attached to spring .the other end of the spring is fixed at the wall
Now the block is pulled and Some energy will be stored in the spring .if the block is released ,as it reaches the equilibrium position. In ideal situation it should have the kinetic enrgy which is equal to the initial potential enrgy stored in the spring
but in real case there will be friction , air resistance etc etc which consumes some of the mechanical energy .this consumed enegy may be converted into heat , sound , light etc etc.