Phet Skate Park Flashcard

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. For example, a skater at the top of a ramp has gravitational potential energy.

Front

How does mass affect energy?

Back

Mass affects the total amount of energy an object has. More mass means more potential and kinetic energy.

Front

What happens to potential energy as a skater goes down a ramp?

Back

As a skater descends a ramp, potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases, assuming no energy is lost to friction.

Front

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Back

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

Front

At which point on a ramp does a skater have maximum potential energy?

Back

A skater has maximum potential energy at the highest point of the ramp.

Front

At which point on a ramp does a skater have maximum kinetic energy?

Back

A skater has maximum kinetic energy at the lowest point of the ramp.

Front

What is the relationship between height and potential energy?

Back

Potential energy increases with height; the higher an object is, the more potential energy it has due to gravity.

Front

What is the relationship between speed and kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed; doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.

Front

What is a graph of energy vs. position?

Back

A graph of energy vs. position shows how potential and kinetic energy change as an object moves along a path, such as a ramp.