Kinetic and Potential Energy

Front

What is Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic Energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It depends on the mass of the object and the square of its velocity.

Front

What is Potential Energy?

Back

Potential Energy is the stored energy in an object due to its position or state. It can be gravitational, elastic, or chemical.

Front

What is an example of Kinetic Energy?

Back

A moving car, a flowing river, or a thrown ball.

Front

What is an example of Potential Energy?

Back

A book on a shelf, a stretched rubber band, or water stored in a dam.

Front

How does mass affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

The greater the mass of an object, the more kinetic energy it has at a given speed.

Front

How does speed affect Kinetic Energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed; if speed doubles, kinetic energy increases by four times.

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 is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another.

Front

At which point in a pendulum's swing is the potential energy the highest?

Back

At the highest points of the swing, where the pendulum is momentarily at rest.

Front

At which point in a pendulum's swing is the kinetic energy the highest?

Back

At the lowest point of the swing, where the pendulum is moving the fastest.