Kinetic and Potential Energy

We have started the term in Science talking about Kinetic and Potential Energy. Here is a table which categorises each type of energy as either Kinetic or Potential.

Potential and Kinetic Energy

The sum of GPE+KE is constant

For example, a tennis ball is hit into the air so therefore GPE+KE is constant. If you calculate the two energies and add them together, you will receive the same answer (neglecting air friction).

Potential Energy

Potential energy is stored energy. For example, gravitational potential energy is stored energy due to a mass being a certain height above reference level.

GPE= mgh is the equation for calculating gravational potential energy

m= mass (kg)

g= 9.8 (metres per second squared)

h= height (m)

One of the fundamental laws of physics says that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another.

Conversion is explaining that from motion energy(Kinetic energy) is converting into a other form of energy example potential.

Potenial energy is energy that can be use like magnetic, gravitional, chemical, electrical, elastic and nuclear. The picture of fireworks shows chemical energy.

Motion energy(Kinetic energy) is any moving object that users kinetic energy. Like heat, light, sound and kinetic energy.

The sun shows energy of heat.