Week 16 - Potential and Kinetic 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 speed at which it is moving.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object based on its position or state. It can be due to height (gravitational potential energy) or the configuration of the object (like a compressed spring).

Front

How does speed affect kinetic energy?

Back

The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has. Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed.

Front

What factors determine potential energy?

Back

Potential energy depends on the height and mass of an object, as well as its position relative to other objects.

Front

What type of energy is stored in a compressed spring?

Back

Elastic energy is stored in a compressed spring.

Front

State the law of conservation of energy.

Back

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

Front

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

Back

The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its height above the ground, calculated as PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Front

Give an example of potential energy converting to kinetic energy.

Back

A roller coaster at the top of a hill has potential energy. As it descends, that potential energy converts to kinetic energy.

Front

What happens to kinetic energy when an object slows down?

Back

When an object slows down, its kinetic energy decreases.