Define potential energy and kinetic energy in your own words. How are they different?

Potential energy is stored energy due to an object's position, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy and vice versa.

A book is resting on a table. Does it have potential energy? If so, what determines the amount of potential energy it has?

Yes, the book has potential energy. The amount of potential energy is determined by its mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and its height above the ground (or a reference point).

A roller coaster car is at the top of a hill. Describe the energy transformations that occur as it goes down the hill.

At the top, the roller coaster has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy. As it goes down the hill, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, increasing its speed.

Explain the law of conservation of energy and how it relates to the conversion between potential and kinetic energy.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. When potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (or vice versa), the total amount of energy in the system remains constant (ignoring losses due to friction, etc.).

Kinetic and Potential Energy

Grade 11th Grade · Physics · 55 min

What's Included

Learning Objective

I can differentiate between kinetic and potential energy and apply these concepts to real-world examples.

Warm-Up Video

Bozeman Science · 6:07

Potential and Kinetic Energy

Guided Notes

3 key concepts

1
Potential energy is energy due to an object's position, while kinetic energy is energy due to an object's motion.
2
Potential energy is calculated using the formula mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height.
3
Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula ½mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Practice Questions

12 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

Quick comprehension check

“A 2 kg textbook is sitting on a shelf that is 1.5 meters high. Calculate its potential energy. If the textbook falls off the shelf, what is its kinetic energy right before it hits the ground? (Assume all potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and use g = 9.81 m/s²)”

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Kinetic and Potential Energy

What's Included

Learning Objective

Warm-Up Video

Guided Notes

Practice Questions

Exit Ticket

Complete Lesson Package

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