Kinetic and Potential Energy Review

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Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

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Energy

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The measure of an object's ability to do work on another system or object.

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Example: This image displays eight different forms of energy, including kinetic (motion) and potential (stored), to provide a broad overview of the topic.

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System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

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System

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Any object or group of objects that are being studied in a particular context.

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Example: The Earth and Moon form a system where they interact through gravity. The Moon's motion gives it kinetic energy, and its position gives it potential energy.

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Closed System Noun

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[klohzd sis-tuhm]

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Closed System

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A system where energy is conserved, meaning no energy is allowed to enter or leave the system.

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Example: This diagram shows a vacuum flask, a real-world example of a closed system. The stopper prevents matter from escaping, and the vacuum layer prevents heat energy transfer.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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A measurement of the energy associated with an object in motion, dependent on its mass and velocity.

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Example: A bus moving up and down a hill shows the conversion between kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy at the top).

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Potential Energy Noun

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[po-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Potential Energy

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The energy that is stored and ready to be used in an object or system based on its position or state.

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Example: Stretching a rubber band stores elastic potential energy, which is the energy an object has due to being deformed or stretched.

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Gravitational Potential Energy Noun

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[grav-i-tey-shuhn-l po-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Gravitational Potential Energy

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The stored energy an object possesses due to its position within a gravitational field, relative to a reference point.

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Example: This diagram shows that an object's gravitational potential energy depends on its mass (m), its height (h) above a surface, and the acceleration due to gravity (g).

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Chemical Potential Energy Noun

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[kem-i-kuhl po-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Chemical Potential Energy

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The potential energy stored within the chemical bonds that hold atoms together in molecules.

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Example: This diagram shows that chemical potential energy is stored in the bond between atoms. When the bond breaks, this stored energy is released.

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Conservation of Energy Noun

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[kon-ser-vey-shuhn uhv en-er-jee]

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Conservation of Energy

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The fundamental principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

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Example: A swinging pendulum shows energy conservation: at the highest points, it has maximum potential energy, which converts to maximum kinetic energy at the bottom.

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Work Noun

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[wurk]

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Work

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The energy transferred to or from an object when a force is applied, causing it to move over a distance.

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Example: This diagram shows the formula for calculating work (W), which is the product of the force (F) applied to an object and the distance (s) it moves.

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Work-Energy Theorem Noun

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[wurk en-er-jee thee-uh-rem]

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Work-Energy Theorem

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The principle stating that the net work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

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Example: When positive net work is done, an object's kinetic energy increases (it speeds up). When negative net work is done, its kinetic energy decreases.