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 book on a shelf 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 an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, but the total energy remains constant.

Front

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Back

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

Front

What is an example of energy transformation?

Back

When a roller coaster climbs to the top of a hill, it has potential energy. As it descends, that potential energy transforms into kinetic energy.

Front

How does height affect potential energy?

Back

The higher an object is positioned, the more potential energy it has due to the gravitational force acting on it.

Front

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and speed?

Back

Kinetic energy is directly related to the square of the speed of an object. If the speed doubles, the kinetic energy increases by four times.

Front

What is an example of an object with both kinetic and potential energy?

Back

A swinging pendulum has both kinetic energy (when it is moving) and potential energy (at the highest points of its swing).

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

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

Back

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