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Energy: Not a Thing
- Energy isn't a physical thing like a rock, making it harder to grasp conceptually.
- Understanding energy's true nature took time, evolving from early misconceptions to more accurate scientific models.
Early Energy Concepts
- Early physicists observed phenomena like cannons heating up after firing.
- They struggled to explain this, leading to concepts like "logistin" and "caloric" to represent energy as a substance.
Roller Coaster Physics
- A roller coaster illustrates energy conversion: potential energy at the top converts to kinetic energy as it descends.
- Friction causes energy loss, preventing the coaster from regaining its initial height.