Potential and Kinetic Energy Review

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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 hill has gravitational potential energy.

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What is kinetic energy?

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Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

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What happens to energy in a closed system?

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In a closed system, energy is neither created nor destroyed; it is transformed from one form to another.

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What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its height above the ground. It depends on the object's mass and height.

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What is elastic potential energy?

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Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as the result of their stretching or compressing, like a stretched rubber band.

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How does energy transform in a roller coaster?

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As a roller coaster climbs, kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy. As it descends, potential energy is transformed back into kinetic energy.

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What is the formula for kinetic energy?

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

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What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

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The formula for gravitational potential energy (PE) is PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

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What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy?

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Potential and kinetic energy are interrelated; as one increases, the other decreases in a closed system, such as in a swinging pendulum.

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What is an example of energy transformation?

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An example of energy transformation is a falling object; as it falls, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.