What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?
2 years ago
Answered By Arsalan Q
Good question, understanding the difference between kinetic and potential energy is the pinnacle of Science 10 physics.
Using words to explain it, the difference is that potential energy is stored energy. As in, the amount of energy the object has but isn't putting to use, it has the "potential" to use this energy but it isn't using it at the moment. Kinetic energy is the energy the object uses to move, it's active energy, it's being consumed at the moment.
My favourite example to illustrate the difference is simply dropping a basketball. If I'm standing on the roof holding the basketball stationary in my hands, it isn't moving, it has no kinetic energy, but it's a long drop down, it would move pretty fast if I let go, so it has a lot of potential energy. It "could" move pretty fast, but it isn't yet. If I let the ball go, then it would have a lot of kinetic energy as it's close to hitting the ground since it's falling so fast. But it has very little potential energy since it's not storing energy anymore, it's using it.
Finally, I can explain the difference using equations. Potential energy is represented by the equation E=mgh. where E is potential energy, m is the mass of the object, g is the force of gravity (9.81 m/s^2) and h is the height the object is above the ground. Kinetic energy is represented by the equation K=(1/2)m(v^2). Where K is kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is the velocity of the object.
2 years ago
Answered By Arsalan Q
Good question, understanding the difference between kinetic and potential energy is the pinnacle of Science 10 physics.
Using words to explain it, the difference is that potential energy is stored energy. As in, the amount of energy the object has but isn't putting to use, it has the "potential" to use this energy but it isn't using it at the moment. Kinetic energy is the energy the object uses to move, it's active energy, it's being consumed at the moment.
My favourite example to illustrate the difference is simply dropping a basketball. If I'm standing on the roof holding the basketball stationary in my hands, it isn't moving, it has no kinetic energy, but it's a long drop down, it would move pretty fast if I let go, so it has a lot of potential energy. It "could" move pretty fast, but it isn't yet. If I let the ball go, then it would have a lot of kinetic energy as it's close to hitting the ground since it's falling so fast. But it has very little potential energy since it's not storing energy anymore, it's using it.
Finally, I can explain the difference using equations. Potential energy is represented by the equation E=mgh. where E is potential energy, m is the mass of the object, g is the force of gravity (9.81 m/s^2) and h is the height the object is above the ground. Kinetic energy is represented by the equation K=(1/2)m(v^2). Where K is kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is the velocity of the object.
Hope this helped! :)