Kinetic and Potential Energy

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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, which can be transformed but not created or destroyed.

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Example: A cyclist going up a hill converts kinetic energy (motion) into potential energy (stored energy of position). At the top, potential energy is maximum.

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System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

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System

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

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Example: The image defines a 'system' as a specific area or group of objects being studied, separated from everything else (the 'surroundings') by a boundary.

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Closed System Noun

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[klozd sis-tuhm]

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Closed System

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A physical system that does not exchange energy with its surroundings, meaning its total energy remains constant.

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Example: A vacuum flask is a closed system because its features, like the stopper and vacuum layer, prevent matter and minimize energy (heat) from entering or leaving.

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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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The energy an object possesses due to its motion, dependent on its mass and the square of its velocity.

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Example: A bus moving up and down a hill demonstrates kinetic energy (the energy of motion) and its transformation from and to potential energy (stored energy).

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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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Stored energy an object has due to its position, shape, or state, ready to be converted into another energy form.

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Example: A roller coaster cart at the top of a hill has maximum stored potential energy due to its height and is momentarily stopped, having zero kinetic energy.

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

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Example: This image shows that for objects at the same height, gravitational potential energy decreases as mass decreases, illustrated by a whale, car, and bowling ball.

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Elastic Potential Energy Noun

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[ih-las-tik po-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Elastic Potential Energy

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Stored energy in an elastic object resulting from its deformation, such as being stretched or compressed from its equilibrium shape.

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Example: Stretching a spring from its static position stores elastic potential energy. The amount of stored energy depends on how far it is stretched.

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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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Energy stored within the chemical bonds of atoms and molecules, which is released during a chemical reaction.

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Example: This diagram shows a battery, where stored chemical potential energy is converted into electrical energy, causing electrons to flow from the anode to the cathode.

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Electromagnetic Potential Energy Noun

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[ih-lek-troh-mag-net-ik po-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Electromagnetic Potential Energy

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Potential energy that results from the interaction between electrically charged particles or magnetic poles within a field.

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Example: A magnet has electromagnetic potential energy, which is stored energy that can pull on metal objects like paperclips, converting it into kinetic energy (motion).

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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 over a distance, causing displacement.

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Example: A person does work by applying a force to push a box, causing it to move a distance in the direction of the force.