06c - Calculating Kinetic and Potential Energy

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, calculated as PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Front

How do you calculate gravitational potential energy?

Back

PE = mgh, where PE is potential energy, m is mass in kilograms, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²), and h is height in meters.

Front

What is the gravitational potential energy of an 85 kg mountain climber at the summit of a 6267 m volcano?

Back

5,220,411 J (calculated using PE = mgh).

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

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

Front

How do you calculate kinetic energy?

Back

KE = 1/2 mv², where KE is kinetic energy, m is mass in kilograms, and v is velocity in meters per second.

Front

What are the two factors that affect kinetic energy?

Back

Mass and speed.

Front

What is the unit of measurement for kinetic energy?

Back

Joule (J).

Front

Calculate the kinetic energy of a running back that has a mass of 80 kg and is running at a velocity of 8 m/s.

Back

2560 J (calculated using KE = 1/2 mv²).

Front

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed from one form to another.

Front

What is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass; as mass increases, kinetic energy increases if velocity remains constant.