Understanding Potential and Mechanical Energy

Potential Energy

Stored energy due to an object's position.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored in materials when stretched or compressed.

Hooke's Law

Describes relationship between force and spring displacement.

Equilibrium Position

Natural position of a spring with no force applied.

Zero-Potential Energy Position

Position where potential energy is zero.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of an object in motion.

Mechanical Energy

Energy due to motion or position of an object.

Conserved Quantity

Quantity that remains constant without external forces.

Work

Energy transfer that causes displacement of an object.

Power

Rate of doing work over time.

Stretch

Deformation of elastic materials increasing potential energy.

Compression

Reduction in volume of elastic materials storing energy.

Bungee Cord

Elastic material that stores energy when stretched.

Trampoline

Device that stores elastic potential energy when compressed.

Spring Constant

Measure of a spring's stiffness in Hooke's Law.

Energy Conversion

Transformation of potential energy to kinetic energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Potential energy due to an object's height above ground.

Displacement

Distance moved in a specific direction.

Average Passenger Work

Work needed to elevate one average passenger.

Total Work

Work calculated for multiple objects or passengers.

Energy Relationship

Kinetic energy increases with the square of speed.

Force Application

Mechanical energy enables force to cause displacement.