Which statements describe kinetic and potential energy? check all that apply.

Objects can have kinetic energy, potential energy, or both. Energy can be in the form of motion. Energy can also be stored by objects in various ways, including position, chemical bonds, or physical state. Which statement is true? 1. A stretched rubber band stores no energy. 2. An object’s mass has no effect on its potential energy. 3. Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as a stationary object begins to move 4. Kinetic energy is converted to potential energy as a stationary object begins to move.

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Kinetic energy is energy possessed by a body by virtue of its movement. Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position or state. While kinetic energy of an object is relative to the state of other objects in its environment, potential energy is completely independent of its environment. Hence the acceleration of an object is not evident in the movement of one object, where other objects in the same environment are also in motion. For example, a bullet whizzing past a person who is standing possesses kinetic energy, but the bullet has no kinetic energy with respect to a train moving alongside.

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Interconversion of Kinetic and Potential Energy

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be destroyed but can only be transformed from one form into another. Take a classic example of a simple pendulum. As the pendulum swings the suspended body moves higher and due to its position potential energy increases and reaches a maximum at the top. As the pendulum begins its downward swing, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

When a spring is stretched to one side, it exerts a force to the other side so it can come back to its original state. This force is called restoring force and acts to bring objects and systems to their low energy level position. The force required to stretch the spring is stored in the metal as potential energy. When the spring is released, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy by the restoring force.

When any mass is lifted, the gravitational force of the earth (and the restoring force in this case) acts to bring it back down. The energy needed to lift up the mass is stored as potential energy due to its position. As the mass is dropped, stored potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Etymology

The word "kinetic" is derived from the Greek word kinesis, which means "motion." The terms "kinetic energy" and "work", as understood and used today, originated in the 19th century. In particular, "kinetic energy" is believed to have been coined by William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) around 1850.

The term "potential energy" was coined by William Rankine, a Scottish physicist and engineer who contibuted to a variety of sciences, including thermodynamics.

Types of Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

Kinetic energy can be classified into two types, depending on the type of objects:

• Translational kinetic energy
• Rotational kinetic energy

Rigid non rotating bodies have rectilinear motion. Thus translational kinetic energy is kinetic energy possessed by an object moving in a straight line. Kinetic energy of an object is related to its momentum (product of mass and velocity, p= mv where m is mass and v is velocity). Kinetic energy is related to momentum through the relation E = p^2 / 2m and hence translational kinetic energy is calculated as E = ½ mv^2. Rigid bodies which rotate along their center of mass possess rotational kinetic energy. Rotational kinetic energy of a rotating body is calculated as the total kinetic energy of its different moving parts. Bodies at rest also have kinetic energy. The atoms and molecules in it are in constant motion. The kinetic energy of such a body is the measure of its temperature.

Potential energy is classified depending on the applicable restoring force.

• Gravitational potential energy – potential energy of an object which is associated with gravitational force. For example, when a book is placed on top of a table, energy required to raise the book from the floor and energy possessed by the book due to its elevated position on the table is gravitational potential energy. Here gravity is the restoring force.
• Elastic potential energy – energy possessed by an elastic body like the bow and catapult when it is stretched and deformed in one direction is elastic potential energy. The restoring force is elasticity which acts in the opposite direction.
• Chemical potential energy – energy related to arrangement of atoms and molecules in a structure is chemical potential energy. Chemical energy possessed by a substance due to the potential it has to undergo a chemical change by taking part in a chemical reaction is chemical potential energy of the substance. When fuel is used, for example, chemical energy stored in fuel is converted to produce heat.
• Electrical potential energy – energy possessed by an object by virtue of its electric charge is electrical potential energy. There are two types – electrostatic potential energy and electrodynamic potential energy or magnetic potential energy.
• Nuclear potential energy – potential energy possessed by particles (neutrons, protons) inside an atomic nucleus is nuclear potential energy. For example, hydrogen fusion in the sun converts potential energy stored in solar matter into light energy.

Applications

• The roller coaster in an amusement park begins with the conversion of kinetic energy into gravitational potential energy.
• The gravitational potential energy keeps planets in orbit around the sun.
• Projectiles are thrown by a trebuchet making use of gravitational potential energy.
• In spacecrafts, chemical energy is used for take off after which the kinetic energy is increased to reach orbital velocity. Kinetic energy gained remains constant while in orbit.
• Kinetic energy given to cue a ball in a game of billiards is transferred to other balls through collisions.

References

• Wikipedia: Kinetic energy
• Wikipedia: Potential energy

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