Kinetic and Potential Energy

Front

What is Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It depends on the mass and speed of the object.

Front

What is Potential Energy?

Back

Potential Energy is the stored energy in an object due to its position or state. It can be gravitational or elastic.

Front

What is Gravitational Potential Energy?

Back

Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy an object has due to its height above the ground. It is calculated as mass x gravity x height.

Front

What is Elastic Potential Energy?

Back

Elastic Potential Energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as the result of their stretching or compressing.

Front

How does mass affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy increases with the mass of the object. More mass means more energy when moving at the same speed.

Front

How does speed affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy increases with the square of the speed. Doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.

Front

Where is Potential Energy greatest in a pendulum?

Back

Potential Energy is greatest at the highest points of the swing (positions 1 and 5).

Front

Which has more Kinetic Energy: a car or a semi-truck traveling at the same speed?

Back

A semi-truck has more Kinetic Energy because it has more mass.

Front

What happens to Potential Energy as an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its Potential Energy decreases while its Kinetic Energy increases.

Front

What is the formula for Gravitational Potential Energy?

Back

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