Kinetic and Potential Energy Summary

Kinetic Energy (KE)

• Energy associated with motion.
• Depends on mass and speed of the object:
  • More mass = more KE
  • Higher speed = more KE
• Formula:
  KE = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{mass} \times \text{speed}^2

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

• Energy stored in raised objects due to their position in a gravitational field.
• Work is done to lift an object, transferring energy to the GPE store.
• Energy in GPE store depends on:
  • Mass of the object
  • Height it is lifted
  • Strength of the gravitational field
• Formula:
  GPE = \text{mass} \times g \times h

Energy Transfer During Falling

• As an object falls, GPE is converted to KE (ignoring air resistance).
• Energy lost from GPE equals energy gained in KE:
  \text{Energy lost from GPE} = \text{Energy gained in KE}

Conservation of Energy

• Principle of conservation of energy is applicable; energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.
• Real-life factors (like air resistance) cause some energy to convert to other forms (e.g., thermal energy).