AP Physics 1: Power and Conservation of 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

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated as KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration, commonly gravitational potential energy, which is calculated as PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Front

What is mechanical energy?

Back

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy in a system, representing the total energy available for doing work.

Front

How does air resistance affect the motion of falling objects?

Back

Air resistance opposes the motion of falling objects, reducing their acceleration and affecting their final velocity compared to free fall.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

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

Front

What happens to kinetic energy as an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, maintaining the total mechanical energy constant in the absence of air resistance.

Front

What is the relationship between height and potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is directly proportional to the height of an object; as height increases, potential energy increases.

Front

What is the formula for calculating work done?

Back

Work done (W) is calculated as W = Fd cos(θ), where F is the force applied, d is the distance moved, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.

Front

What is the unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI)?

Back

The unit of energy in the SI system is the Joule (J).