Kinetic and Potential Energies

Kinetic and Potential Energies

Kinetic and potential energies are popular topics in physics. So here we will talk about Kinetic and potential energy along with their examples, differences between them, and their various types. 

Definition and difference between potential and kinetic energy

Kinetic Energy

The energy of an object or system concerning the movement of an object or particle in a system is called kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of an object is related to other moving and stationary objects in its environment. Kinetic energy can be transferred from one moving object to another, for example, in the event of a collision, water, descending from a mountain. The SI unit is Joule. The limiting factors are speed/ velocity and mass.

Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass and square of velocity

K.E. = 1/2 mv^2. 

Where, m= mass,

v= velocity

The kinetic energy has units of kilograms-meters squared per second squared if the mass is in kg and the velocity is in m / sec. Joule is commonly used to quantify kinetic energy; 1 joule= 1 kg m^2 / s^2.

Potential energy 

Potential energy is stored in an object or system due to its position or composition. Potential energy has nothing to do with the surroundings of the body. Potential energy is not transferable. For example, water at the top of a waterfall. The SI unit is the joule. Length or distance and mass are limiting factors.

Conversion of potential and kinetic energies

We all are familiar with the law of conservation of energy.  The law of conservation states that energy remains constant, and it can never be eliminated. Although, energy can transform from one form into another form. Let’s take an example to understand this concept.

In a torch, The chemical energy of the battery is converted into electrical energy when we turn the switch on. The electrical energy produces heat energy in this process. 

Similarly, loudspeakers convert electrical energy to sound energy.

What are the examples of Kinetic energy and potential energy? 

Let’s take an example of a hammer you are holding; once you raise the hammer at a height, it will store potential energy. But when you drop the hammer, it will suddenly go down and hit the surface of the table. So here, the hammer will have kinetic energy. 

Here, when you raise the hammer, it will gain more potential energy as it goes higher. But when you bang the hammer on the floor, the possible energy storage converts into kinetic energy because the hammer is falling. 

What are the types of potential energy?

We have three primary types of potential energy: 

• Elastic potential energy
• Gravitational potential energy
• Chemical potential energy

Elastic potential energy

Here you can find elastic potential energy in such objects that you can easily compress or stretch. The greater you stretch or compress the thing, the greater flexible potential power it will acquire. 

Formula:

PE =12kx^2

k = spring constant

x = change in position

Example: a stretched rubber band. 

Gravitational potential energy

If a large object has an energy related due to gravity, this energy is known as gravitational potential energy. For example, the potential energy associated with the gravitational field comes into play when an object falls from a height.

Formula: 

U=m g h

U = potential energy

m = mass

g = gravitational acceleration

h = height

Examples:

• Water storage behind a dam
• A vehicle that is parked at the hill’s top
• A simple yo-yo before being released
• A book kept on a bench before it falls

Chemical potential energy

The energy storage within a substance’s chemical bonds is chemical potential energy. When chemical potential energy is released, some of its parts get converted into heat, and some are converted into work. 

Example

When chemical potential energy transforms into work, it can move a car. But, on the other hand, when chemical potential energy heats the engine of the vehicle, it is transformed into heat. 

Types of kinetic energy 

There are five types of kinetic energy: radiant, thermal, sound, electrical, and mechanical. Let us look at some kinetic energy examples and learn more about the different types of kinetic energy.

Radiant energy

Radiation is a type of energy that always moves in space. Examples of radiant energy are:

Ex: Ultraviolet light, Gamma rays.

Thermal energy

Thermal energy is formed by the motion of an atom when they press on each other. Examples of thermal energy are:

Hot springs, warm swimming pools, etc.

Sound energy

The vibrations of an object create sound energy. Sound energy traverses through the medium but cannot traverse in a vacuum as there are no particles to function as a medium. Examples of sound energy are:

Instruments, drums, etc.

Electrical energy

Free electrons with any kind of charge, whether positive or negative, create electrical energy. Electric energy is vital in the modern world.

Example: Lights and Batteries.

Mechanical energy

The aggregate of kinetic energy and potential energy is known as mechanical energy, which can be neither constructed nor destroyed but transformed from one state to another. Examples of mechanical energy : Satellites in space and vehicles moving on the road.

Conclusion

Here we learned all the essential information about Kinetic and potential energies. However, there is a lot to learn about this topic in physics. But we tried to cover the vital parts of the case here, including the difference between Kinetic and potential energy, their example relationship, and different types of potential energy.