Conservation of Energy

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a child at the top of a slide has potential energy because of its height.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. For example, a bowling ball rolling down a lane has kinetic energy.

Front

How does mass affect kinetic energy?

Back

The kinetic energy of an object increases with its mass. A heavier object moving at the same speed as a lighter object has more kinetic energy.

Front

What is mechanical energy?

Back

Mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in an object.

Front

How does gravity affect potential energy?

Back

Gravity affects potential energy by determining the height of an object. The higher the object, the more potential energy it has.

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 velocity.

Front

What is an example of an object with kinetic energy?

Back

A snail crawling across a leaf is an example of an object with kinetic energy.

Front

How does gravity assist in hammering a nail?

Back

Gravity pulls the hammer down, which increases the force applied to the nail, making it easier to drive it into the board.

Front

What type of energy does the International Space Station have?

Back

The International Space Station has both potential energy (due to its height above Earth) and kinetic energy (due to its motion around Earth).

Front

What is the relationship between potential energy and height?

Back

Potential energy increases as the height of an object increases, due to the gravitational force acting on it.