PotentiPotential al

EnergyEnergy

Potential Energy (PE)Potential Energy (PE)

What is potential? Give me an example of What is potential? Give me an example of when you have used the term Potential.when you have used the term Potential. You have the potential to do well on the Unit 4 TestYou have the potential to do well on the Unit 4 Test The Cubs have the potential to make it to the The Cubs have the potential to make it to the

World SeriesWorld Series Definition: anything that may be possibleDefinition: anything that may be possible

An object can store energy due to its position, An object can store energy due to its position, shape, or stateshape, or state This is called potential energyThis is called potential energy It has the potential to do workIt has the potential to do work

Potential Energy (PE) takes place at Potential Energy (PE) takes place at the microscopic level all the timethe microscopic level all the time Example: The food we eatExample: The food we eat

How? The energy is in the food and How? The energy is in the food and available, it is just waiting for our bodies to available, it is just waiting for our bodies to perform reactions that release the energy!perform reactions that release the energy!

Gravity also gives potential energy to Gravity also gives potential energy to an object.an object. The formula for potential energy due to The formula for potential energy due to

gravity is gravity is PEPEgg=mgh=mgh

PEPEgg = mass x gravity x height = mass x gravity x height

Gravitational Potential Gravitational Potential EnergyEnergy

If you hold an object, and lift it up in If you hold an object, and lift it up in the air, it gains potential energy. the air, it gains potential energy. When you drop the object, as it gets When you drop the object, as it gets closer to the ground, its potential closer to the ground, its potential energy decreases .energy decreases .

Elastic Potential EnergyElastic Potential Energy Energy stored in elastic materials Energy stored in elastic materials as the

result of their stretching or compressing. Examples:

rubber bands, bungee chords, trampolines, springs, an arrow drawn into a bow, etc.

The amount of elastic potential energy stored in such a device is related to the amount of stretch of the device – the more stretch, the more stored energy

SpringsSprings Every spring has an intrinsic value Every spring has an intrinsic value

based on size, shape, material based on size, shape, material Spring constant = kSpring constant = k PEPEelasticelastic = ½ k x = ½ k x22

x = distance spring is x = distance spring is compressed/stretched from equilibrium compressed/stretched from equilibrium position.position.

Equilibrium = resting position Equilibrium = resting position