In inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved due to deformations and heat generation. The kinetic energy before collision KE_initial is partially transformed into internal energy and other non-recoverable forms, reducing KE_final. For example, following a collision between a 50 kg boy and a 40 kg girl both on skates, KE_initial is 625 J, and KE_final after collision is 348 J, rendering a loss of 277 J. This lost energy accounts for sound, deformation and possibly heat, highlighting how inelastic collisions dissipate the system's kinetic energy .

When a rubber ball is dropped, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as it accelerates downwards. Upon impact, kinetic energy is transformed into elastic potential energy, which then converts back to kinetic energy as it rebounds. However, the ball does not reach its original height due to energy loss primarily from air resistance and internal friction during the deformation, which convert some mechanical energy into thermal energy, thus preventing the ball from conserving its total mechanical energy .

The height a swing reaches at its highest point can be determined by converting the kinetic energy at the lowest point into potential energy at the highest point. At the lowest point, the speed is maximum and potential energy is minimal, while at the highest point, the velocity becomes zero, and potential energy is at its maximum. Using energy conservation, KE_initial = PE_final, we find the height h using h = v^2/(2g), where v is the speed at the lowest point and g is the gravitational acceleration. For example, if the speed at the lowest point is 7.7 m/s, h = (7.7 m/s)^2/(2 * 9.8 m/s^2) = 3 m .

Impulse is defined as the product of the average force applied to an object and the time duration over which the force is applied, represented as J = F_avg * Δt. This impulse causes a change in the object's momentum. According to the impulse-momentum theorem, the impulse experienced by an object is equivalent to the change in its linear momentum. For example, if a karate expert's hand with a mass of 0.75 kg and speed of -13 m/s strikes a surface and comes to a stop within 25 milliseconds, the impulse J can be calculated as the change in momentum: J = mΔv = 0.75 kg * 13 m/s = 9.75 kg·m/s, and the force can be calculated as F_avg = J/Δt = 390 N .

The conservation of linear momentum indicates that when two carts collide, the total momentum of the system (both carts) before the collision must equal the total momentum after the collision, provided there is no external force acting on them. If cart A (mass 2m) and cart B (mass m) are moving towards each other and stick together upon collision, their combined velocity after the collision can be determined from the relation 2mv_A - mv_B = 3mv_after. The condition for them to stop indicates v_after = 0, which means cart B should approach with twice the velocity of cart A (v_B = 2v_A) to satisfy momentum conservation and ensure they collectively stop moving .

The total angular momentum of two masses attached to a rotating rod is determined by L = Σ(m_i)v_ir_i, where m_i, v_i, and r_i are the mass, speed, and radius from the axis of rotation for each mass, respectively. Given the rod's lightweight and negligible mass compared to the attached masses (inertia is primarily due to the masses), each mass contributes equally to the system's angular momentum. For example, if two 0.25 kg masses move with a speed of 0.75 m/s in a circle of radius 0.25 m, the total angular momentum L = 2 * (0.25 kg) * (0.25 m) * (0.75 m/s) = 0.094 kg·m²/s. The rod's mass does not impact the calculation as it is assumed to be negligible in this model .

The direction of force exerted by an archer plays a critical role in calculating average work and determining the potential energy available for the arrow's motion. If the force exerted is consistently directed in line with the bowstring's displacement, maximum work is done, calculated as average work W = 1/2 * F * d = 90 N * 0.5 m = 45 J for a force of 180 N and displacement of 0.5 m. The energy stored as work converts entirely into the kinetic energy of the arrow if no energy is lost, determining its speed upon release v = 65.5 m/s. Thus, a consistent force direction maximizes energy conversion efficiency and propels the arrow optimally .

The work done on an object by a force is calculated as the dot product of force and displacement vectors, W = F·d = Fd cosθ, where θ is the angle between force and displacement. For horizontal motion with positive displacement to the right, the ranking according to work done is based on the effective component of force in the displacement's direction. The greatest work occurs when θ = 0° (force fully aligned with motion). Situations with perpendicular or opposite forces contribute zero or negative work. Hence, the ranking considering force directions and displacements as follows: greatest work with rightward force and displacement (b), followed by (a), then situations with zero work (c & e), and least work with leftward force (d).

A hydraulic pile driver gains mechanical advantage from potential energy accumulated by raising its ram to a certain height. This potential energy converts into useful work when driving piles. Assuming a rise to achieve a pile energy of 11,780 J, the height necessary is computed using h = PE/mg = 11,780 J / (1,040 kg * 9.8 m/s²) = 1.16 m. During operation, if the winch motor takes 0.62 seconds to raise the ram, the power output is calculated as P = W/t = 11,780 J / 0.62 s = 19,000 W. Converting to horsepower (1 hp = 746 W), the power output equals approximately 25.46 hp .

Running up a flight of stairs feels more exhausting than walking because while the work done is identical for both running and walking (since work depends on force and distance, which remain constant), running requires the body to generate the same amount of energy in less time. This increased energy output in a short duration elevates the demand on the body's metabolic processes, making it feel more tiring than walking, which allows for slower, more sustainable energy use .