Potential & Kinetic

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. It has the potential to be converted into kinetic energy.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. It depends on the mass of the object and the square of its velocity.

Front

How is potential energy calculated for an object at a height?

Back

Potential energy (PE) can be calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above the reference point.

Front

What happens to potential energy as an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, assuming no energy is lost to air resistance or friction.

Front

What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy in a pendulum?

Back

In a pendulum, potential energy is highest at the highest points of the swing, while kinetic energy is highest at the lowest point of the swing.

Front

What type of energy is stored in a compressed spring?

Back

The energy stored in a compressed spring is a form of potential energy, specifically elastic potential energy.

Front

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Back

The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

How does the speed of an object affect its kinetic energy?

Back

The kinetic energy of an object increases with the square of its speed; if the speed doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the potential energy an object possesses due to its height above the ground, calculated as PE = mgh.

Front

What is an example of kinetic energy in everyday life?

Back

An example of kinetic energy is a moving car, where the energy is due to its motion.