Kinetic and Potential Energy

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state, commonly gravitational potential energy, calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Front

How does potential energy change as an object falls?

Back

As an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, conserving the total mechanical energy.

Front

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and mass?

Back

Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass of the object; doubling the mass of an object will double its kinetic energy if the velocity remains constant.

Front

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and velocity?

Back

Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the velocity; if the velocity doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.

Front

What happens to the kinetic energy of a falling object just before it hits the ground?

Back

Just before hitting the ground, the object has maximum kinetic energy, as its potential energy has been converted into kinetic energy.

Front

How do you calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object?

Back

To calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object, use the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is the mass in kilograms and v is the velocity in meters per second.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

Gravitational potential energy is the potential energy held by an object because of its height above the ground, calculated using PE = mgh.

Front

How does height affect potential energy?

Back

The higher an object is positioned, the greater its potential energy, as potential energy increases with height.

Front

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Back

The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.