Physics Work and Energy Flashcard

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

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

Front

What is momentum?

Back

Momentum is the quantity of motion an object has, calculated as p = mv, where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is work in physics?

Back

Work is done when a force causes an object to move, calculated as W = F × d × cos(θ), where F is the force, d is the distance moved, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.

Front

What is power in physics?

Back

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred, calculated as P = W/t, where W is work and t is time.

Front

If an object is moving at constant speed, what can be said about the net work done on it?

Back

The net work done on an object moving at constant speed is zero, as the forces acting on it are balanced.

Front

How does increasing the speed of an object affect its kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed; if speed doubles, kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.

Front

What happens to potential energy 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 work and energy?

Back

Work done on an object results in a change in its energy; work can transfer energy to or from an object.

Front

What is the formula for calculating gravitational potential energy?

Back

The formula for gravitational potential energy is PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height above a reference point.