Difference Between Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy | Kinetic Energy | Potential Energy

Here in this article we will explain both Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy. First of all we will explain the term kinetic energy.

Kinetic Energy

It is define as:

The energy that an object possesses by virtue of its motion. It is also defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion

 It is dependent on the mass of the object and the velocity.

The formula for kinetic energy is: 

Kinetic energy =  (1/2)mv^2

Where:

• Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. Kinetic energy is measured in joules (J).
• Mass is the mass of the object. Mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
• Velocity is the velocity of the object. Velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s).

The kinetic energy of an object increases when we increase the velocity and mass of the object. It means that the kinetic energy is directly proportion to the mass and velocity. If we increase one term the other will also increase.

Example

A car moving at a higher speed has more kinetic energy than the same car moving at a slower speed.

Similarly, a heavy object moving at some speed will definitely have more kinetic energy than a lighter object moving at the same speed

 

Kinetic energy plays an essential role in various areas of physics, including mechanics and thermodynamics, and is used to describe the behavior of objects in motion, such as in collisions or the motion of particles in a gas.

Now we will define the Potential Energy.

Potential Energy

Potential energy is define as:

 The energy that an object possesses due to its position

It is the energy that an object has stored in it due to its position or arrangement in a system, and can be released and converted into kinetic energy as the object moves or undergoes a change in position.

 

The formula for potential energy depends on the type of potential energy that will being considered.

 

Gravitational Potential Energy

 

This is the potential energy possessed by an object due to its height above the ground

It is given by the formula:

Potential energy = mass * gravitational acceleration * height

Where:

• Mass is the mass of the object and it is measured in kilograms (kg)
• Gravitational acceleration is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s^2) on Earth.
• Height is the distance between the object and the ground and it is measured in meters (m).

Elastic Potential Energy

This is the potential energy stored in an object when it is compressed or stretched, such as a spring

The formula for elastic potential energy is:

Potential energy = (1/2) * spring constant * displacement^2

Where:

• Spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of the spring and it is measured in newton’s per meter (N/m).
• Displacement is the amount that the spring has been compressed or stretched and it is measured in meters (m).

Potential energy can also be stored in other systems, such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and chemical bonds.

Potential energy also plays an essential role in various areas of physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, and is used to describe the behavior of objects and systems in different physical situations.