Kinetic and Potential Energy
Active Physics
Name: ______________________________Grade:___ Class Period: ___ Date:____________
Essential Question: How is kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical energy affected by
gravity? PSc.3.1.2
1. Complete the tables below. ( p. 35)
Table 1:
Energy
Position
peak position
Table 2:
Energy
Kinetic energy
peak position
2. What is the sum of elastic potential energy, Gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy on
each row in table 2? ( p. 35-36)
Sum of Energy
ready position
Launch position
Peak position
3. Explain why elastic potential energy has the highest value in table 2: ready position. Think!
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4. Explain why kinetic energy has the highest value in table 2:launch position. Think!
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5. Explain why Gravitational potential energy has the highest value in table 2: peak position. Think!
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6. What law supports this data? Think!
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7. Study the figure above. Calculate the potential energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, velocity,
and height of the skater at the various locations. Show your computations below.
http://www.mrfizix.com/home/energy.htm
Formula/Equation for Gravitational Potential Energy
PEg = mgh
or
PEg = Fgh
Formula/Equation for Kinetic Energy
KE= 1/2 MV2
PE=potential energy (joule)
m=mass (kg)
g=gravitaional acceleration (m/sec^2)
h= height (m) elevation
Where:
m= mass
v= velocity
Where:
m=mass
g= gravity
h= height