Potential & Kinetic Energy

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a stretched rubber band has potential energy.

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

Kinetic energy is affected by an object's mass and speed. The formula is KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is speed.

A stretched rubber band has potential energy.

An apple rolling on a table has kinetic energy.

An object at rest has potential energy, but no kinetic energy.

The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases.

A car driving down a hill has more kinetic energy than a person running down a hill.

Kinetic energy increases with an increase in mass, assuming speed remains constant.