Kinetic and Potential Energy Physics 6(B)

Learning Objectives Explain the differences between kinetic and potential energy and their sources Describe situations involving kinetic and potential energy Explain how potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy and kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy Kinetic and Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy (KE) – the energy of an object due to motion – Measured in joules, J Dependent on: – Mass (m ) – Velocity (v) Defining Kinetic Energy

At the top, a skateboarder has no kinetic energy – Kinetic energy increases as the skateboarder moves downwards and speeds up At the bottom, a skateboarder has maximum kinetic energy – Kinetic energy decreases as the skateboarder moves upwards and slows down Kinetic Energy

Potential Energy (PE ) – the energy of a system due to its position – Measured in joules, J Dependent on: – Mass (m ) – Height above ground (h ) – Acceleration due to gravity (g ) Defining Potential Energy

On the ground, each block has no potential energy On the stairs, the yellow object has the least potential energy and the green object has the most potential energy Potential Energy

Energy can be transformed from one type to another In the picture on the left, the ball’s potential energy is at a maximum and its kinetic energy is at a minimum In the picture on the right, the ball’s kinetic energy is at a maximum and its potential energy is at a minimum Energy Transformation

Transformation between kinetic and potential energy is never perfect – Energy can be “lost” when it is transformed out of a system Some kinetic and potential energy of the roller coaster is transformed into heat and sound Energy Transformation

Learning Objectives Explain the differences between kinetic and potential energy and their sources Describe situations involving kinetic and potential energy Explain how potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy and kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy Kinetic and Potential Energy