Energy Changes

🔋 Energy Types Flashcards

Q: What is Kinetic Energy (Ek)?
A: Energy of motion; present when something is moving.

Q: What is Gravitational Potential Energy (Eg)?
A: Stored energy due to height above the ground.

Q: What is Elastic Energy (Eel)?
A: Stored energy in compressed or stretched objects (like springs or rubber bands).

Q: What is Thermal Energy (Eth)?
A: Energy released as heat or sound, usually from friction or impact.

⚖ Laws and Concepts Flashcards

Q: What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?
A: Energy can’t be created or destroyed — it just changes form.

Q: What happens to energy if there is no friction?
A: Total mechanical energy (Ek + Eg) stays the same.

Q: What happens to energy if there is friction?
A: Some energy is converted to Eth (heat/sound), so mechanical energy decreases.

Q: What do energy pie charts represent?
A: The percent of each type of energy (Ek, Eg, Eel, Eth) at a moment in time.

🥧 Pie Chart Situations Flashcards

Q: A ball is held high and not moving. Energy pie chart?
A: 100% Eg

Q: A ball is falling. Energy pie chart?
A: Some Eg, some Ek (increasing Ek as it falls)

Q: A ball hits the ground with friction. Final energy?
A: 100% Eth

Q: A wind-up toy slows down and stops. Final energy?
A: 100% Eth (from friction)

Q: A spring launches an object. Start, middle, top?
A: Start = Eel; Mid = Ek + Eg; Top = Eg

Q: A truck moves at constant speed. What energy types?
A: Ek (motion) + Eth (friction/air resistance)

Q: A ball is thrown up and caught (no friction). How does energy change?
A: Ek → Eg → Ek (back to hands), no energy lost

Q: A superball bounces and doesn’t reach the original height. Why?
A: Some energy changed to Eth (heat/sound)

🧠 Quick Facts Flashcards

Q: What energy type increases when something speeds up?
A: Kinetic Energy (Ek)

Q: What energy type increases when something rises?
A: Gravitational Energy (Eg)

Q: What happens to energy when something stops moving due to friction?
A: It becomes Thermal Energy (Eth)

Q: Does the amount of energy stay the same?
A: Yes, unless energy is transferred to the environment (as Eth)