Potential and Kinetic Energy
Examples of Kinetic & Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy: A gymnast on the beam has kineatic energy. The movements and flips that she does show the energy that is being displayed while she is moving. When you are running, walking, or jumping, your body is exhibiting kinetic energy.
Potential Energy: By stretching a rubber band, you give it potential energy. A book on a shelf has stored potential energy. A baseball in a glove has potential energy until it is thrown and it turns into kinetic energy.
Kinetic and Potential Energy: A waterfall has both kinetic and potential energy. The water at the top of the waterfall has stored potential energy. Once the water leaves the top of the waterfall, the potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.
The potential energy of an object in this case is given by the relation:
PE = mgh
PE = Energy (Joules)
m = mass (kilograms)
g = gravitational acceleration of the earth (9.8 m/sec2)
h = height above earth's surface (meters)
The kinetic energy of an object in this case is given by the relation:
KE = (1/2)mv2
KE = Energy (Joules)
m = mass (kilograms)
v = velocity (meters/sec)
Potential energy is the capacity for doing work that a body possesses because of its position or condition. For example, a stone resting on the edge of a cliff has potential energy due to its position in the earth's gravitational field.
Kinetic energy is energy a body possesses because it is in motion.
