Potential & Kinetic Energy Review

Front

What is Potential Energy?

Back

Potential Energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. It is often associated with the height of an object above the ground.

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

What is the formula for calculating Potential Energy?

Back

Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) x gravitational acceleration (g) x height (h).

Front

What is the gravitational acceleration on Earth?

Back

The gravitational acceleration on Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s².

Front

How does mass affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy increases with mass; if the mass of an object doubles, its Kinetic Energy also doubles, assuming constant velocity.

Front

How does velocity affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy increases with the square of the velocity; if the velocity doubles, the Kinetic Energy increases by a factor of four.

Front

What is the unit of measurement for Potential Energy?

Back

The unit of measurement for Potential Energy is Joules (J).

Front

What is the unit of measurement for Kinetic Energy?

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The unit of measurement for Kinetic Energy is Joules (J).

Front

Calculate the Potential Energy of a 2,500 kg car on a hill 100 meters high.

Back

Potential Energy = 2,500 kg x 9.81 m/s² x 100 m = 2,500,000 J.

Front

Calculate the Kinetic Energy of a 50 kg person running at 7 m/s.

Back

Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity² = 1/2 x 50 kg x (7 m/s)² = 1,225 J.