Question

Potential energy is energy that is stored in an object. It isn't being used at the moment, but is waiting to do work. A good example is to think about a boulder sitting on top of a hill. Just sitting there, the boulder isn't doing anything. But because it is sitting on top of a hill, it has the potential to roll down and do some damage to a car or building below. The energy is stored in that rock because of its size (mass) and the distance it will travel once it starts rolling. Another good example is a rubberband. When you stretch a rubber band, it wants to move back to its original position, and thus you have given it potential energy. As the rubber band is released, potential energy is changed to motion.

Kinetic energy is energy of motion. A rubber band flying through the air has kinetic energy. When you are walking or running your body is exhibiting kinetic energy. This energy is performing work. Other examples of kinetic energy include: legs pump bicycle pedals, lightning snaps trees, cars travel down the street, football players making tackles, and 4-wheelers speeding through the woods.
Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. As mentioned before, a stretched rubberband can change from having potential to kinetic energy. Another example of this change between kinetic and potential energy can be seen using a yo-yo. Before a yo-yo begins to fall from your hand it has stored energy due to its position. At the top (in your hand) it has its maximum potential energy. As it starts to fall the potential energy begins to be changed into kinetic energy. At the bottom its potential energy has been completely converted into kinetic energy so that it now has its maximum kinetic energy. Another example of the change between kinetic and potential energy is a waterfall. A waterfall has both potential and kinetic energy. The water at the top of a waterfall has stored potential energy. When the water begins to fall, its potential energy is changed into kinetic energy. This change in energy is used in Niagara Falls, Canada to provide electricity to parts of the northeastern United States.

Questions:
1. What is kinetic energy?
2. What is potential energy?
3. List 5 examples of Potential energy given in the above passage. The first two are filled in for you.
1. __A boulder sitting on top of a hill that could roll down.___________ 2. __A stretched rubberband.___________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________________________ 5. ________________________________________________________
4. List 5 examples of Kinetic Energy given in the passage above. The first
two are filled in for you.
1. __Water falling down a waterfall.____________________________ 2. __Car moving through the streets.____________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________________________ 5. ________________________________________________________

Answer 1

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is the stored energy an object has. Examples of kinetic energy include a car moving through the streets and water falling down a waterfall. Examples of potential energy include a boulder sitting on top of a hill and a stretched rubber band.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When an object is in motion, it has kinetic energy. Examples of kinetic energy mentioned in the passage include a rubber band flying through the air, a car moving through the streets, and water falling down a waterfall.

Potential energy is the stored energy an object has due to its position, composition, or condition. Examples of potential energy mentioned in the passage include a boulder sitting on top of a hill that could roll down and cause damage, a stretched rubber band, and water at the top of a waterfall.