Mechanical Energy Test Study Guide

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and speed?

The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has. There is a proportional relationship between speed and kinetic energy, but it’s slightly different than the relationship between kinetic energy and mass. When you increase the speed of an object, the kinetic energy increases by the square of the factor. It is not linear.

The more speed, the more kinetic energy.

What is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy?

A moving object’s kinetic energy depends of the mass. The heavier the mass of an object, the more kinetic energy it creates. The relationship between mass and kinetic energy is a proportional, linear relationship. Ex: If the mass of an object is increased by a factor of 4, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of 4.

More mass means more kinetic energy.

What is the definition of Kinetic Energy?

Kinetic energy is energy due to motion. All moving objects have kinetic energy.

Energy due to motion.

What is the definition of Potential Energy?

Energy due to interactions between objects of particles when distance changes.

Stored energy.

What is the definition of Elastic Potential Energy?

Energy stored in objects that are compressed or stretched.

What is the definition of Gravitational Potential Energy?

Energy stored due to the interactions of all objects in a gravitational field.

What unit is speed?

Speed is m/s.

What is the definition of work?

Work is the transfer of energy.

Transferred energy; object must move.

What is the relationship between work and energy?

When work is done on an object, for example, a paper clip, energy increases.

When work is done by an object, its energy decreases (You moving the paperclip).

What does Kinetic energy depend on?

Kinetic energy depends on the mass and the speed of an object. The heavier the mass of an object, the more kinetic energy it creates. The faster an object moves the more kinetic energy it has.

What does potential energy depend on?

The amount of potential energy depends of the positions of objects or particles. The larger the change in position between objects, the greater the potential energy.

What is the relationship between gravitational potential and height?

The farther away the object is from the center of the gravitational field, the more gravitational potential energy the object has in reaction to the field.

Does an object always have energy?

Yes, objects can have energy when they are moving, and when they aren’t moving. Energy is not created or destroyed, it is transferred.

How does kinetic and potential energy work in relation to each other?

Potential energy and kinetic energy will always be opposite of each other. When an object has the most kinetic energy, it will have the least potential energy. When an object has the most potential energy, it will have the least kinetic energy.

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

States: Although energy is always transferring from one form to another, energy is not created or destroyed.

What are the formulas for Potential and Kinetic Energy?

Potential Energy: PE= m x g x h

Kinetic Energy: KE= 1/2mv²