Potential and Kinetic Energy What is Energy Energy

Potential and Kinetic Energy

What is Energy? • Energy – ability to do work – If something is moving or has the ability to move then it has energy • Energy is measured in a unit called Joules (J) • 2 Main Categories: 1. Kinetic Energy 2. Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy (KE) • Kinetic Energy (KE) – energy due to motion • ALL moving objects have KE • KE depends on 2 things…. . 1. Speed –> more speed = more KE 2. Mass –> more mass = more KE

Potential Energy (PE) • Potential Energy (PE) – stored energy due to the interactions between objects/particles • 3 Main Types…. . • 1. Gravitational PE (GPE) – increases with height and weight • 2. Elastic PE (EPE) – increases with compression/stretch • 3. Chemical PE (CPE) – energy stored in bonds between atoms

Energy Transfers: PE and KE • When an object is released from a high point the potential energy changes or transforms into kinetic energy. • The more potential energy the object has the more kinetic energy it uses once it is released.

Law of Conservation of Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It may be transformed from one form to another, but the total amount of energy never changes.

Formulas for Energy Potential energy PE = mgh Kinetic energy KE = 1/2 mv 2 m is mass g is gravity (9. 8 m/s) h is height v is velocity