Energy & Energy Transformations

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What is energy?

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Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical energy.

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What is kinetic energy?

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Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. It depends on the mass of the object and its velocity, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv².

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What is potential energy?

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Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state. For example, an object at a height has gravitational potential energy.

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What is gravitational potential energy?

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Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its height above the ground, calculated using the formula GPE = mgh.

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What factors affect gravitational potential energy?

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Gravitational potential energy depends on the mass of the object (m), the height above the ground (h), and the acceleration due to gravity (g).

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What is the formula for kinetic energy?

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

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How does energy transform from potential to kinetic?

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Energy transforms from potential to kinetic when an object falls or moves from a higher position to a lower position, converting stored energy into motion.

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What is the law of conservation of energy?

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

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What is an example of energy transformation?

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An example of energy transformation is a roller coaster: as it climbs, it gains potential energy, and as it descends, that potential energy converts to kinetic energy.

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What is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy?

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The relationship is direct: as mass increases, kinetic energy increases if velocity remains constant.