Student Projects/Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

KINETIC ENERGY

Definition

The energy of a moving object is called kinetic energy. The word kinetic means motion.

Examples

          1. A person walking has kinetic energy.
          2. A simple pendulum.
          3. A falling ball.

Formula

          K.E= ½mv²
          where m is the mass of the object 
                v is the speed or velocity with which it is moving.

POTENTIAL ENERGY

Definition

The energy stored is called potential energy. it depends upon height or position of the object .

Examples

           1.  A simple pendulum.
           2.  A person sitting or sleeping.
           3.  Water stored in a tank.

Formula

           P.E= mgh
           where m  is the mass of the object 
                 g is acceleration due to gravity
                 h is height at which the object is situated from ground level.

MISCELLANEOUS

kinetic energy can be converted to potential energy and vice versa. Most of the systems possess both kinetic and potential energy , it depends on the situation or instance when we are looking at the system .