Energy can take on many forms, two of them being potential and kinetic. Energy is measured in joules (J) which is equivalent to Newton meters (N*m).<\/p>\n
Kinetic Energy <\/strong>is the amount of energy an object has due to its motion. This can be represented by the amount of energy of a ball rolling across the floor. The kinetic energy of an object can be calculated using the formula E = \u00bd mv2 <\/sup><\/strong> .<\/p>\n E is the kinetic energy in joules.<\/p>\n m is the mass of the object in kilograms.<\/p>\n v is the speed of the object in meters per second.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Example:<\/p>\n Calculate the kinetic energy of a 2kg ball rolling across the floor at a constant speed of 2 m\/s. E = \u00bd mv2<\/sup><\/p>\n E = \u00bd (2)(2)2<\/sup><\/p>\n E = \u00bd (2)(4)<\/p>\n E = 4 J<\/p>\n The kinetic energy of the ball is 4 J.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gravitational Potential Energy <\/strong>is the amount of energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. This can be represented by holding a ball above your head on the surface of the Earth, where the gravity will be constant. The gravitational potential energy of an object can be calculated using the formula E = mgh.<\/strong><\/p>\n E is the gravitational potential energy in joules.<\/p>\n m is the mass of the object in kilograms.<\/p>\n g is the acceleration due to of gravity in meters per second squared (on the surface of the Earth, g = 9.81 m\/s2<\/sup>) .<\/p>\n h is the height of the object in meters with respect to a reference point (usually the surface of the Earth).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Example:<\/p>\n Calculate the gravitational potential energy of a 2.00kg ball held 3.00m above the surface of the Earth.<\/strong><\/p>\n E = mgh<\/p>\n E = (2.00)(9.8)(3.00)<\/p>\n E = 58.8 J<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nGravitational Potential Energy<\/h5>\n