potential and kinetic energy - white plains middle school · potential or kinetic energy? kinetic!...
TRANSCRIPT
By: Annette Miles
*Potential and
Kinetic energy
Potential energy can be described as
energy that is stored due to an
object’s position or condition.
For example, a lawn mower has energy
stored because it is filled with gasoline but
is not yet running. This energy stored is due
to the mower’s condition.
A bolder at the top of a hill has stored
energy.
If released or pushed, the bolder will
tumble down the hill because of
gravity, this is potential energy due to
it’s position. The higher the position,
the more potential energy.
Kinetic energy can be described
as energy of motion.
For example, a lawn mower
running and cutting grass is
kinetic energy because the
mower is moving.
The bike at the top of the hill has potential
energy, stored energy based on its position.
As it goes down the hill, the bike is now
moving and kinetic energy is being displayed.
Some objects have more kinetic energy than
others. A rolling bowling ball has more kinetic
energy than a rolling foam ball. Why?
A bowling ball has
more mass.
Objects can also have more kinetic
energy if they have more velocity.
Velocity is how fast an object is moving
in a certain direction.
A person running at 8 mph has
more kinetic energy than the
same person running 5 mph.
8 mph
5 mph
Is a sled going down a hill an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Kinetic!
Is a new car battery an example
of potential or kinetic energy?
Potential!
Kinetic!
Is a hammer hitting a nail an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Is a dam holding back water an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Potential!
Kinetic!
Is a dam releasing water an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Is a mouse trap set with cheese
an example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Potential!
Is a mouse trap that is snapping
shut an example of potential or
kinetic energy?
Kinetic!
Is a soccer ball hitting the net an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Kinetic!
Is a soccer ball lying on the
ground an example of potential or
kinetic energy?
Potential!
Is a baseball bat ready to hit an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Potential!
Is a baseball bat hitting a ball an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Kinetic!
Are ski divers an example of
potential or kinetic energy?
Kinetic!
Is an arrow flying through the air
and hitting a target an example of
potential or kinetic energy?
Kinetic!
Is a bow pulled and ready to
shoot an arrow an example of
potential or kinetic energy?
Potential!
Is a skier at the top of a hill an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Potential!
Is a skier coming down a hill an
example of potential or kinetic
energy?
Kinetic!
Is a roller coaster flying down the
track an example of potential or
kinetic energy?
Kinetic!
http://www.petervaldivia.com/technology/energy/index.php
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Science-Stories/Harnessing-the-Sun/Sci-
Media/Images/Potential-and-kinetic-energy
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