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Kinetic and Potential Energy

History

A roller coaster train going down hill represents merely a complex case as a body is descending an inclined plane. Newton's first two laws relate force and acceleration, which are key concepts in roller coaster physics. At amusement parks, Newton's laws can be applied to every ride. These rides range from 'The Swings' to The 'Hammer'. Newton was also one of the developers of calculus which is essential to analyzing falling bodies constrained on more complex paths than inclined planes. A roller coaster rider is in an gravitational field except with the Principle of Equivalence.

Potential Energy

Potential energy is the same as stored energy. The "stored" energy is held within the gravitational field. When you lift a heavy object you exert energy which later will become kinetic energy when the object is dropped. A lift motor from a roller coaster exerts potential energy when lifting the train to the top of the hill. The higher the train is lifted by the motor the more potential energy is produced; thus, forming a greater amount if kinetic energy when the train is dropped. At the top of the hills the train has a huge amount of potential energy, but it has very little kinetic energy.

Kinetic Energy

The word "kinetic" is derived from the Greek word meaning to move, and the word "energy" is the ability to move. Thus, "kinetic energy" is the energy of motion --it's ability to do work. The faster the body moves the more kinetic energy is produced. The greater the mass and speed of an object the more kinetic energy there will be. As the train accelerates down the hill the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. There is very little potential energy at the bottom of the hill, but there is a great amount of kinetic energy.

Theory

When the train is at the top and bottom of the hill there is not any potential or kinetic energy being used at all. The train at the bottom of the first drop should have enough energy to get back up the height of the lift hill. The "Act of Faith" in riding these amazing rides which seems more of a phenomena that is only a theory. In practices, the train never could make it back up the hill because of dissipative forces. Friction and air resistance, and even possible mid-course breaks, are dissipative forces causing the theory to be changed but not destroyed. These forces make it impossible for the train to have enough energy to make it back up the lift hill's height. In the absence of the dissipative forces the potential and kinetic energies(mechanical energy) will remain the same. Since the mechanical energy is destroyed by the forces, the first hill is always the highest

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How are potential and kinetic energy related?

Potential and kinetic energy are related in that potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. When an object has potential energy, it has the potential to move and therefore has the potential to have kinetic energy.


The energy an object has because of its motion is called potential energy?

No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.


How are kinetic and potential energy related?

Kinetic and potential energy are related because they are both forms of energy that an object can possess. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or condition. When an object's potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the object is in motion.


What is the formula for calculating mechanical energy?

The formula for calculating mechanical energy is the sum of an object's kinetic energy (0.5 * mass * velocity^2) and potential energy (mass * gravity * height). Mathematically, it can be written as: Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.


In what way are kinetic energy and potential energy related?

Kinetic energy and potential energy are related because they are both forms of energy that an object can possess. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy. The two types of energy can be interconverted, meaning that an object with potential energy can release that energy to become kinetic energy, and vice versa.

Related Questions

How are potential and kinetic energy related?

Potential and kinetic energy are related in that potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. When an object has potential energy, it has the potential to move and therefore has the potential to have kinetic energy.


The energy an object has because of its motion is called potential energy?

No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.No. Energy related to motion is called kinetic energy; energy related to position is called potential energy.


How are kinetic and potential energy related?

Kinetic and potential energy are related because they are both forms of energy that an object can possess. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or condition. When an object's potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the object is in motion.


What is the formula for calculating mechanical energy?

The formula for calculating mechanical energy is the sum of an object's kinetic energy (0.5 * mass * velocity^2) and potential energy (mass * gravity * height). Mathematically, it can be written as: Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.


In what way are kinetic energy and potential energy related?

Kinetic energy and potential energy are related because they are both forms of energy that an object can possess. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy. The two types of energy can be interconverted, meaning that an object with potential energy can release that energy to become kinetic energy, and vice versa.


What are the differences between kinetic and potential energy and how do they relate to each other?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy that has the potential to be converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is directly related to an object's motion, while potential energy is related to an object's position or condition. The two types of energy are interrelated because potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy and vice versa.


What is the relationship between kinetic energy and potential energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy. The two are related because potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy and vice versa.


How is kinetic energy and potential energy related in a system?

In a system, kinetic energy and potential energy are related because they are both forms of energy that can be converted into each other. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy when an object moves. The total energy in a system remains constant, but it can change forms between kinetic and potential energy.


Why is solar energy potential and not kinetic?

I would classify it as kinetic - not potential - because it is energy related to the movement of the photons.


How are potential and kinetic related or connected in terms of their properties or characteristics?

Potential and kinetic energy are related in that they are both forms of energy that an object can possess. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or condition, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the object is in motion. This relationship between potential and kinetic energy demonstrates the transfer and transformation of energy within a system.


How do ponetic and kinetic energy differ?

Potential energy is stored energy while kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When an object is at rest, it has potential energy that can be converted into kinetic energy when in motion. Potential energy is related to the position or configuration of an object, while kinetic energy is related to the object's motion.


What is the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of large scale objects in a system?

The sum of kinetic and potential energy of large scale objects in a system is called the total mechanical energy. It remains constant in the absence of external forces like friction or air resistance, according to the law of conservation of energy. Mathematically, it can be represented as the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy: Total Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.