Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

Front

What is energy?

Back

Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms, such as light, sound, heat, and motion.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the stored energy in an object due to its position or state. For example, a ball held at a height has potential energy.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

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

Front

How does the height of an object affect its potential energy?

Back

The higher an object is, the more potential energy it has. For example, a ball held at 3 meters has more potential energy than one held at 1 meter.

Front

What is the relationship between speed and kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed. This means if you double the speed, the kinetic energy increases by four times.

Front

Can kinetic energy be converted to potential energy?

Back

Yes, kinetic energy can be converted to potential energy, such as when a ball is thrown upwards.

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 the formula for potential energy?

Back

The formula for potential energy (PE) is PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is 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 type of energy does a stretched bow have?

Back

A stretched bow has potential energy due to the tension in the bowstring.