Potential & Kinetic Energy

Energy

• The ability to do work

• The ability to cause matter to move

• The ability to cause matter to change

• Measured in joules & calories

Types of Energy• Radiant (light, electromagnetic)• Nuclear (atomic)• Mechanical• Heat (thermal)• Sound• Chemical

You will see other types or forms of energy in books and on the Internet

Energy can be divided into two general categories:

• Potential

• Kinetic

Potential Energy

• Stored energy• Energy of position• The amount of usable energy in a body at

rest• Sometimes called GRAVITATIONAL

POTENTIAL ENERGY

Potential Energy

• Can be calculated mathematically• PE = (weight) (height)

Potential energy can be increased by:

• Increasing height• Increasing mass

Example

Kinetic Energy

• Energy of motion• Energy an object has because it is moving

Kinetic Energy

• Can be calculated mathematically

• KE = (mass x velocity2)/2

Kinetic energy can be increased by:

• Increasing mass• Increasing speed

Example

Another Example