Question

Energy can transform between different types. For each of the following examples, identify two energy transformations and the types of energy involved in the transformations: Cannonball fired upward from a cannon Diver jumping from a spring board Squirrel jumping from a tree and landing on the net of a trampoline

Answer 1

There are three types of energies which will help in understanding this particular question:

Kinetic Energy: The energy of an object due to its motion is callled as kinetic energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy: The energy of an object due to its position is called as gravitational potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy: The energy stored in an object due to streching and compression of that object is called as Elastic potential Energy.

1) When cannon ball fired from cannon it has kinetic energy. As the cannon moves upward its kinetic energy is transforming into potential energy. At the highest point its kinetic energy will be zero. I will only have potential energy.

2) When Diver is at the spring board it has elastic potential energy. When he jumps this elastic potential energy transforms into Kinetic energy. At the ground it will have only kinetic energy.

3) At the tree squirrel has gravitational potential energy. when it jumps it potential energy transforms into kinetic energ. When squirrel lands on the net of trampoline it has gravitational potential energy.

Answer 2

For these examples, we are talking about mechanical energy, which is divided in two forms:

1. Kinetic Energy: Related to the motion of a body or object.

2. Potential Energy: It has two forms (a) Potential Gravitational Energy, which is the energy stored by a body or object, related to its position above the ground, and (b) Elastic Potential Energy, which is the energy stored by a body or object that is able to strech and compress (for example a spring coil, springboard, the net of a trampoline...)

Now that is clear the type of energy we are talking about, let's begin with the examples:

1) As we can see in the first figure attached, when the cannonball is fired has Kinetic Energy, and when it is in the air at a position in which the ball is in its maximum height ready to go back down, this is transformed to Gravitational Potential Energy.

2) In the second example (refer to 2nd figure attached), when the diver is in his position on the springboard waiting to jump, we are talking about Elastic Potential Energy. When he jumps this energy transforms to Kinetic energy.

3) For the final example (3rd figure attached), when the squirrel is standing on the tree has Gravitational Potential Energy. Then, when the squirrel jumps and is falling through the air, this is transformed in movement (Kinetic Energy). Finally, when it lands on the net of a trampoline, this is transformed to Elastic Potential Energy.