Download Kinetic Energy

Roller Coaster Physics
Energy & Momentum
Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic is another word for motion or movement. Kinetic Energy is
energy that is moving. Everything you see moving about has kinetic
energy.
Examples of Kinetic Energy:
Radiant Energy – kinetic energy that shows up as light, radio
waves, and x-rays
Electrical Energy – kinetic energy that exists in the movement of
electrical charges
Thermal Energy – kinetic energy that we call heat. Heat is
caused by the rapid movement of vibrating molecules.
Sound – kinetic energy created when a force cause an object
vibrate.
The greater the mass or velocity of a moving object, the more kinetic
energy it has.
Greatest Kinetic Energy
100 km/hr
80 km/hr
Least Kinetic Energy
100 km/hr
Potential energy has the ability to become kinetic energy. Potential energy
is stored energy that will possibly become energy in motion.
Potential energy is known as the energy of position. The object’s power
comes when a force is applied, generally the force of gravity.
Examples of Potential Energy:
• Stored Mechanical Energy – When a rubber band is stretched, it has
stored mechanical energy
• Gravitational Energy – Before jumping from a diving board, a diver
has a great deal of gravitational energy. The higher the diver starts,
the greater the gravitational energy
5
1
6
2
3
4
– Points of Potential Energy
– Points of Kinetic Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.
Energy is always changing from one kind to another. The total
energy of an object never changes.
• Potential energy + Kinetic energy = Total energy
• Total energy – Kinetic energy = Potential energy
• Total energy - Potential energy = Kinetic energy
Trial #
PE (J)
KE (J)
Momentum
Speed (cm/s)
(g cm/s)
Data needed to collect:
• Height (cm)
• Distance traveled (cm)
• Time
• Mass (g)
Energy:
Momentum: