Describing Energy

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

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

Front

How does speed affect kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases as speed increases. Specifically, if the speed of an object doubles, its kinetic energy quadruples.

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, elastic, nuclear, or mechanical.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its height above the ground. It is calculated as the product of mass, gravitational acceleration, and height.

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 kinetic energy?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass of the object. If the mass increases, the kinetic energy increases, assuming speed remains constant.

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

What is mechanical energy?

Back

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy in an object. It is the energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

Front

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Back

The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.