ENERGY Potential and Kinetic Energy Examples

potential energy/kinetic energy conversions in a pendulum

As the weight on the pendulum falls, it loses potential energy and gains kinetic energy. At the lowest point, kinetic energy is greatest. This kinetic energy causes the pendulum to swing up again, and the pendulum gains potential energy.

potential energy used for work

The gravitational potential energy in the heavy weight is turned into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is used to drive a piece of wood into the ground.

potential energy (gravitational) in a swing

The potential energy is highest at point A and the kinetic energy is lowest. Kinetic energy is highest at point B and potential energy is lowest.

potential energy in a roller coaster

The potential energy of the cars at the top of a roller coaster is transformed into kinetic energy when the cars go down the hill.

a skateboarder enjoying kinetic energy

The skateboarder is converting potential energy to kinetic energy as he goes down the hill.

a boulder can just sit on top of a mountain and have lots of energy (potential)

This boulder (big rock) has a lot of potential energy because it has a lot of mass and it is high off the ground. It is awful to think about what would happen if it fell!

potential energy (elastic) in a rubber band

When you stretch a rubber band, you add potential energy to it by changing its shape. When you let the rubber band go, it returns to its shape and the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

kinetic energy is turned into potential energy when a ball is tossed up

You add kinetic energy to a ball to toss it up into the air. When all of this kinetic energy has been converted to potential energy, it falls due to gravity. Potential energy is the converted to kinetic energy.

elastic potential energy in a bow and arrow

You change the shape of the bow and give it elastic potential energy. When you let the bow go, it returns to its original shape. The energy is transformed to kinetic energy and transferred to the arrow.

car battery

the battery (if charged) has potential energy stored in it

parked bicycle

the bicycle is a machine or object that could move forward or backward if force is applied so it has potential energy

flowing river

the flowing river is an example of kinetic energy because the motion of the water through the river is creating energy

gallon of gasoline

the gasoline has potential energy because it could be burned for heat energy or used as chemical energy to cause the car or tractor to move

standing at the top of a hill

this is potential energy because it a person with mass high off the ground level so the person could fall down the hill