Phys-Presentation 4.2 Understanding Mechanical Energy

Front

What is energy in a physical system?

Back

Energy is a quantitative property of a system that depends on the motion and interactions of the components of the system.

Front

What is the formula for elastic potential energy?

Back

PE_s = \frac{1}{2} k x^2

Front

How does the height of a roller coaster affect the speed of a cart at the bottom of the hill?

Back

If the roller coaster is twice as high, the speed of the cart at the bottom will be greater.

Front

What is gravitational potential energy?

Back

The energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field.

Front

What is a computational model used to calculate the change in energy of a component in a system?

Back

Energy change model.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

The energy an object has due to its motion.

Front

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

Back

KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2

Front

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

What is mechanical energy?

Back

The sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in a system.

Front

What factors affect gravitational potential energy?

Back

Mass of the object, height above the ground, and acceleration due to gravity.