Potential vs Kinetic Energy MS-PS3-2

Grade 8 - NGSS - CA

The energy of an object that is stretched or compressed

Elastic potential energy

The energy of an object that is stretched or compressed. Elastic potential energy. Elastic potential energy is stored energy in materials, like a stretched rubber band, that can return to their original shape.

The process of changing energy from one form to another

Energy transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another is called energy transformation. Energy transformation is when energy changes from one type, like light, to another type, like heat, in a simple process.

The energy of an object due to its height above Earth’s surface

Gravitational potential energy

The energy of an object due to its height above Earths surface. Gravitational potential energy. It's the stored energy an object has because it's lifted up and can fall down due to gravity.

The energy of a moving object

Kinetic energy

The energy of a moving object. Kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving.

The sum of the kinetic and the potential energy of an object

Mechanical energy

The sum of the kinetic and the potential energy of an object. Mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is the energy an object has because of its motion and position.

The energy an object has from its position or condition, like a ball on a hill or a stretched spring

Potential energy

The energy an object has from its position or condition, like a ball on a hill or a stretched spring, is potential energy. Potential energy is stored energy that can be released, like water held behind a dam.

The use of force to move an object over a distance, its unit is the Joule (J)

Work

The use of force to move an object over a distance, its unit is the Joule J. Work is done when a force moves an object over a distance.