Differences between Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy
Contents
Kinetic Energy vs. Potential Energy[edit]
In physics, kinetic energy and potential energy are the two primary components of mechanical energy.[1][2] Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.[3][4] Conversely, potential energy is the energy stored within an object based on its position, internal stresses, or configuration.[5] An object's total mechanical energy is the sum of its kinetic and potential energies.[3][2] Within a system subject only to conservative forces, such as gravity, the total mechanical energy remains constant, with energy converting between kinetic and potential forms.[1]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Kinetic Energy | Potential Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Energy of an object in motion.[3] | Stored energy based on an object's position or state.[5] |
| State of Object | Requires the object to be moving (have velocity). | Can exist in a stationary object. |
| Key Dependencies | Mass and the square of its velocity. | Mass, height, or an object's configuration (e.g., a stretched spring). |
| Common Formula | KE = ½mv² | Gravitational: PE = mgh |
| Examples | A moving car, a falling rock, flowing water. | [2] A book on a shelf, a stretched rubber band, water behind a dam. |
| Transferability | Can be transferred between objects upon collision. | Is not transferred directly between objects in the same manner. |
Interconversion of Energy[edit]
Kinetic and potential energy can transform into one another. For example, a roller coaster car at the top of a hill has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy. As it descends, its speed increases, converting the potential energy into kinetic energy. At the bottom of the hill, its kinetic energy is at a maximum, and its potential energy is at a minimum. As[1] the car begins to climb the next hill, its kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy, causing it to slow down.
This process demonstrates the principle of conservation of energy, which states that energy is not created or destroyed but only changes form. In real-world systems, some mechanical energy is often converted into other forms, such as heat, due to non-conservative forces like friction or air resistance.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved January 01, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "physicsclassroom.com". Retrieved January 01, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "gsu.edu". Retrieved January 01, 2026.
- ↑ "wikipedia.org". Retrieved January 01, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "britannica.com". Retrieved January 01, 2026.
