Kinetic and Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It depends on the mass of the object and the square of its velocity.

Potential Energy is the stored energy in an object due to its position or state. It can be gravitational, elastic, or chemical.

Gravitational Potential Energy depends on the height of the object above a reference point and the mass of the object.

The formula for Kinetic Energy (KE) is KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

The formula for Gravitational Potential Energy (PE) is PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

As the height of an object increases, its Potential Energy increases because it has the potential to do more work due to gravity.

A moving car, a flowing river, or a person running are all examples of Kinetic Energy.

A book on a shelf, a drawn bow, or water stored in a dam are all examples of Potential Energy.

As an object falls, its Potential Energy decreases while its Kinetic Energy increases, conserving the total mechanical energy.

Kinetic and Potential Energy are forms of mechanical energy. They can convert into each other; for example, when an object falls, Potential Energy converts to Kinetic Energy.