What is a potential energy curve?
The potential energy curve is a property of the object and whatever it’s interacting with. The object can never be at a location where the potential energy curve is above the total energy line. The object feels a force pulling it down the slope toward the location with lower potential energy.
What can we get from the potential energy curve?
Interpreting a one-dimensional potential energy diagram allows you to obtain qualitative, and some quantitative, information about the motion of a particle. At a turning point, the potential energy equals the mechanical energy and the kinetic energy is zero, indicating that the direction of the velocity reverses there.
What is potential energy and example?
potential energy, stored energy that depends upon the relative position of various parts of a system. A spring has more potential energy when it is compressed or stretched. A steel ball has more potential energy raised above the ground than it has after falling to Earth.
Which point has the most potential energy?
highest point
Gravitational potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its height and is equal to the object’s mass multiplied by its height multiplied by the gravitational constant (PE = mgh). Gravitational potential energy is greatest at the highest point of a roller coaster and least at the lowest point.
Which of the following is an example of potential energy?
A car that is parked at the top of a hill. A yoyo before it is released. River water at the top of a waterfall. A book on a table before it falls.
What factors affect the potential energy of an object?
Gravitational Potential Energy is determined by three factors: mass, gravity, and height. All three factors are directly proportional to energy.
How do you explain potential energy to a child?
Potential energy is the stored energy an object has because of its position or state. A bicycle on top of a hill, a book held over your head, and a stretched spring all have potential energy.
What is potential energy physics?