Question

A cylindrical cell is rolling down an inclined plane. Explain the law of conservation of energy when the cell rolls from the top to the bottom.

Answer 1

1. The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transferred from one form to another form.
2. When the cell is at rest on top of the inclined plane, it possesses only potential energy due to the height gained by the cell.
3. When the cell starts rolling down, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
4. The total energy or mechanical energy of the cell at any instant of time will be equal to the sum of its potential energy and kinetic energy.
5. Total energy at the top of the inclined plane is equal to the total energy at the bottom of the inclined plane.

Hence, the law of conservation of energy is strictly valid in this case.