MCAT Basics Podcast

Work and Energy

In this episode, we cover the topic of work and energy. We’ll start off by talking about work, which includes the mathematical and conceptual definitions and the sign convention of work. We’ll also talk a little bit about mechanical advantage and also path dependency. Moving on to energy, we’ll talk about the general definition of energy, we’ll compare and contrast energy in work and the different types of energy that includes kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, and total mechanical energy. Lastly, we’ll talk about energy transfer, specifically heat transfer, and the three types of convection, conduction, and radiation.

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Jump into the conversation:

00:00 Introduction

05:27 Summary: Limits of equation for work and force

08:39 Positive work: force and displacement in same direction

09:32 Comparison of mechanical and thermodynamic work sign conventions

12:50 Work changes kinetic energy of moving objects

16:32 Friction and energy

22:25 Pitching

27:10 Kinetic and potential energy relation 

32:14 Sun and heat transfer

Sam Smith

Sam completed his Bachelors of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Following his graduation, he worked at the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center studying HIV. Meanwhile, with a microphone in his garage, Sam founded the MCAT Basics podcast. The podcast has grown to become the top rated MCAT podcast on iTunes. In addition to podcasting, Sam enjoys the outdoors, sports, and his friends and family.

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