Potential & Kinetic
Energy
Energy
• The ability to do work
• The ability to cause matter to move
• The ability to cause matter to
change
• Measured in joules & calories
Types of Energy
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Radiant (light, electromagnetic)
Nuclear (atomic)
Mechanical
Heat (thermal)
Sound
Chemical
You will see other types or forms of energy in
books and on the Internet
Energy can be divided into
two general categories:
• Potential
• Kinetic
Potential Energy
• Stored energy
• Energy of position
• The amount of usable energy in a body at
rest
• Sometimes called GRAVITATIONAL
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential Energy
• Can be calculated mathematically
• PE = (weight) (height)
Potential energy can be
increased by:
• Increasing height
• Increasing mass
Example
Kinetic Energy
• Energy of motion
• Energy an object has because it is moving
Kinetic Energy
• Can be calculated mathematically
• KE = (mass x velocity2)/2
Kinetic energy can be increased
by:
• Increasing mass
• Increasing speed
Example
Another Example