Understanding Potential and Kinetic Energy Diagrams

Kinetic and Potential Energy

by Mr. Ferguson

Types of Energy

-There are two types of energy​ Potential and Kinetic

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- Energy changes from potential to kinetic, but is never destroyed or created

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​Kinetic Energy

KE is the energy of motion

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​The amount of Kinetic energy is dependent on the mass and speed of an object.

​Potential Energy

​Stored energy

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The energy of position

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The amount of energy contained in an object at rest

Multiple Choice

Kinetic energy depends on

• mass and height

• height and speed

• mass and speed

• mass and force

Multiple Choice

Which point has the most potential energy?

• at point A

• at point F

• at point B

• at point G

Multiple Choice

At which point is potential energy least?

• Y

• X

• W

• Z

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. When a roller coaster is at the top of a hill it has

• high potential energy

• high kinetic energy

• low kinetic energy

• equal amounts of kinetic and potential energy

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. Which of these has the least potential energy.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Kinetic Energy

• The amount of Kinetic energy and object has is related to to 2 factors.

• Mass of the object

• Speed of the object

Potential and Kinetic Energy

Notice that as the kinetic energy increases the potential energy decrease.

When the coaster goes back up the hill the energy is converted back to potential energy.

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. The roller coaster cart has the most kinetic energy at position-

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Multiple Choice

What is kinetic energy?

• the energy an object has because its moving

• the energy an object does not have because its moving

• the energy an object sometimes has because its moving

• the energy an object never has because its moving

​Chemical energy- stored energy that is released during a chemical reaction

​Mechanical energy- the combination of potential and kinetic energy.

​Gravitational potential energy-

the energy an object has due to its position​

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. At what position does the rock have the greatest kinetic energy?

• A

• B

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. Explain what happens to the potential energy of a rock as it falls off the side of a cliff.

• The kinetic energy decreases as the potential energy increases.

• The kinetic energy decreases as the potential energy decreases.

• The potential energy decreases as the kinetic energy increases.

• The potential energy decreases as the kinetic energy decreases. 

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. Where would this baseball have the greatest amount of kinetic energy?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Multiple Choice

Where would this baseball have the least amount of kinetic energy?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z