Get the answer to your homework problem. Try Numerade free for 7 days
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Describe how the kinetic energy and elastic potential energy are lost in a bouncing rubber ball. Describe what happens to the motion of the ball. (11.2) No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy. Science >> Physics for Kids What is potential energy? Potential energy is the stored energy an object has because of its position or state. A bicycle on top of a hill, a book held over your head, and a stretched spring all have potential energy. How to Measure Potential Energy The standard unit for measuring potential energy is the joule, which is abbreviated as "J."How is it different from kinetic energy? energy due to its velocity. A Car on a Hill We can compare potential and kinetic energy by considering a car on a hill. When the car is at the top of the hill it has the most potential energy. If it is sitting still, it has no kinetic energy. As the car begins to roll down the hill, it loses potential energy, but gains kinetic energy. The potential energy of the position of the car at the top of the hill is getting converted into kinetic energy. Gravitational Potential Energy One type of potential energy comes from the Earth's gravity. This is called gravitational potential energy (GPE). Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object based on its height and mass. To calculate the gravitational potential energy we use the following equation:
GPE = mass * g * height Where "g" is the standard acceleration of gravity which equals 9.8 m/s2. The height is determined based on the height the object could potentially fall. The height may be the distance above the ground or perhaps the lab table we are working on. Example problems: What is the potential energy of a 2 kg rock sitting at the top of a 10 meter high cliff? GPE = mass * g * height GPE = 2kg * 9.8 m/s2 * 10m GPE = 196 JPotential Energy and Work The potential energy is equal to the amount of work done to get an object into its position. For example, if you were to lift a book off the floor and place it on a table. The potential energy of the book on the table will equal the amount of work it took to move the book from the floor to the table.Other Types of Potential Energy
Take a ten question quiz about this page. More Physics Subjects on Motion, Work, and Energy Science >> Physics for Kids |