Calculating Potential and Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Potential energy is defined by the stored energy of position and object has. For example, an object at the top of hill has more potential energy than an object at the bottom of a hill. The formula to calculate potential energy (PE) is PE =m x g x h.
The m stands for mass - how much matter is in an object (weight), the g stands for acceleration of gravity, and the h stands for height
So let’s apply this formula to a word problem
A monkey climbed to the top of a 20m high tree. The monkey weighs 6kg. How much potential energy does the monkey have?
Break down the word problem for the important information
h = 20m
m = 6kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
Substitute the values into the formula and solve. Please note: your final answer should be labeled with joules (J).
PE = 6 x 9.8 x 20
PE = 1176 J
Potential energy is defined by the stored energy of position and object has. For example, an object at the top of hill has more potential energy than an object at the bottom of a hill. The formula to calculate potential energy (PE) is PE =m x g x h.
The m stands for mass - how much matter is in an object (weight), the g stands for acceleration of gravity, and the h stands for height
So let’s apply this formula to a word problem
A monkey climbed to the top of a 20m high tree. The monkey weighs 6kg. How much potential energy does the monkey have?
Break down the word problem for the important information
h = 20m
m = 6kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
Substitute the values into the formula and solve. Please note: your final answer should be labeled with joules (J).
PE = 6 x 9.8 x 20
PE = 1176 J
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is defined by the energy an object has while in motion. For example, an object that is falling has more kinetic energy than an object that is still. The formula to calculate kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 0.5 x mv^2.
The m stands for mass - how much matter is in an object (weight) and the v stands for velocity - the rate in which an object changes its position.
So let’s apply this formula to a word problem.
A 55kg man runs at a speed of 4m/s. Calculate his kinetic energy.
Now let’s break down this word problem for the important information.
m = 55kg
v = 4m/s
Plug the information into the formula and solve. Please note: your answer should be labeled with joules (J).
KE = 0.5 x 55kg x (4m/s)^2
KE = 400 J
Kinetic energy is defined by the energy an object has while in motion. For example, an object that is falling has more kinetic energy than an object that is still. The formula to calculate kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 0.5 x mv^2.
The m stands for mass - how much matter is in an object (weight) and the v stands for velocity - the rate in which an object changes its position.
So let’s apply this formula to a word problem.
A 55kg man runs at a speed of 4m/s. Calculate his kinetic energy.
Now let’s break down this word problem for the important information.
m = 55kg
v = 4m/s
Plug the information into the formula and solve. Please note: your answer should be labeled with joules (J).
KE = 0.5 x 55kg x (4m/s)^2
KE = 400 J