Potential and Kinetic Energy

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a rock at the top of a cliff has potential energy because of its height.

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.

Front

What happens to potential energy as a rock falls from a cliff?

Back

As the rock falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases.

Front

What type of energy does a moving skateboard have?

Back

A moving skateboard has kinetic energy.

Front

At which point in a pendulum's swing is potential energy the greatest?

Back

Potential energy is greatest at the highest point of the swing.

Front

What two factors affect kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is affected by mass and speed.

Front

If an object moves faster, what happens to its kinetic energy?

Back

The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

Front

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

Back

The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is speed.

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, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Front

How does height affect potential energy?

Back

The higher an object is, the more potential energy it has, because potential energy is directly proportional to height.