Potential and Kinetic Energy
6.8A
Key Concepts
· Energy is the ability to do work. You must have energy in order to accomplish work.
· Potential energy is stored energy.
· Potential energy is increased the further elevated an object is from the ground.
· Food, batteries and gasoline contain chemically stored potential energy.
· Energy can be stored by position such as a stretched rubber band or a wind-up toy, a stretched spring, or a roller coaster car high above the ground.
· Kinetic energy is energy of motion.
· Objects with kinetic energy are always moving.
· If an object is using energy, it has kinetic energy.
· Moving water and wind are examples of kinetic energy.
· Kinetic energy is greatest as the object reaches the lowest point where it will be traveling the fastest.
· Energy transforms back and forth between potential and kinetic energy.