potential and kinetic energy

potential energy: stored energy that is waiting to be released

kinetic energy: energy in motion

• the heavier an object is, the more kinetic energy it will have

• the more force is placed on an object, the more speed it will have

an object that has potential energy has stored energy, but an object that has kinetic energy has energy in motion

kinetic and potential energy are related to each other because they can transform into one another

kinetic energy can also transform into sound, heat and light

types of kinetic energy:

• mechanical: the energy of movement

• electrical: the energy of moving electrons

• light (radiant): electromagnetic energy that allows the human eye to see

• thermal (heat): the energy of moving atoms in matter

• sound: the energy from vibrations of matter

types of potential energy:

• chemical: energy stored in the bonds between atoms and compounds

• elastic: energy stored when materials stretch or compress

• gravitational: energy an object possesses due to its position

• nuclear: the energy stored in the nuclei of atoms

law of conservation of energy: energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can be transformed to other forms