24-25 Energy Study Guide

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. It is the energy an object has when it is at rest and has the potential to move.

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 speed at which it is moving.

Front

Explain the energy transformation that occurs when a mallet is lifted and then dropped.

Back

When the mallet is lifted, it gains potential energy. As it falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

Front

What are the three methods of heat transfer?

Back

The three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation.

Front

Define conduction.

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. It occurs when two objects at different temperatures touch each other.

Front

Define convection.

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). It occurs when warmer areas of a liquid or gas rise and cooler areas sink.

Front

Define radiation.

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves. It does not require a medium to travel through.

Front

Why does a yacht have more kinetic energy than a speedboat if both are moving at the same speed?

Back

The yacht has more mass, which contributes to its greater kinetic energy.

Front

What is the best explanation for why your hands get warm by a fire?

Back

Chemical energy is converted into heat energy when the fire burns.

Front

At which point is a cyclist's gravitational potential energy the lowest when riding down a hill?

Back

The cyclist's gravitational potential energy is lowest at point Z.