Energy Transformations

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a ball held at a height has potential energy because of its position above the ground.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

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What is mechanical energy?

Back

Mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in an object. It is the energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

Front

How does height affect potential energy?

Back

The potential energy of an object increases as its height increases. This is because potential energy is directly proportional to height.

Front

What happens to potential energy as an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, conserving the total mechanical energy.

Front

What are the two main types of energy in a roller coaster?

Back

The two main types of energy in a roller coaster are kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy due to height).

Front

What is the law of conservation of energy?

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

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What is an example of energy transformation?

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An example of energy transformation is when a car accelerates: chemical energy from fuel is transformed into kinetic energy.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the potential energy an object has due to its height above the ground, calculated as PE = mgh (mass x gravity x height).

Front

How does energy change in a pendulum?

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In a pendulum, energy continuously transforms between potential energy (at the highest point) and kinetic energy (at the lowest point).