Gravitational potential energy
The energy an object possesses due to its position relative to a reference point.
Kinetic energy
The energy an object has as a result of the object’s motion.
Mechanical energy
The sum of gravitational potential and kinetic energy at a point.
The law of conservation of energy
The total energy in a system cannot be created nor destroyed; only transferred from one form to another.
The principle of conservation of mechanical energy
In the absence of air resistance or any external forces, the mechanical energy of an object is constant.