Type of Energy

Kinetic

Potential

Definition

Energy of motion

Energy of position (sometimes thought of as stored energy)

Equation

KE = ½ m • v²

PE = m • g • h

Variables

KE = kinetic energy

m = mass (kg)

v = velocity (m/s)

PE = potential energy

m = mass (kg)

g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)

h = height (m)

Factors Affecting the Amount of Energy

Mass – the greater the mass of the object, the greater the kinetic energy

Velocity – the greater the velocity, the greater the kinetic energy (by a factor of velocity squared)

Mass – the greater the mass of the object, the greater the kinetic energy

Height – the greater the height relative to earth (or some given position) the greater its potential energy

NOTE: gravity is considered to be constant if the object is on Earth

Form of Energy

Definition

Example

Mechanical

Energy associated with
the motion or position
of an object

Frog leaping through the air

Electrical

Energy found in electricity; due to the motion of the electrons

Lightning blasting to the ground, electricity from an outlet

Electromagnetic

Energy that travels in waves

Radio waves, infrared radiation, light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays

Thermal

Total energy of a substance’s
particles due to their
movement or vibration; Heat energy

Ocean, sun (solar), body heat

Chemical

Energy stored in chemical bonds

Energy stored in the food you eat gives you energy when food molecules are broken

Nuclear

Energy stored in the nucleus of atoms; Not the same as chemical energy because changes happen inside the nucleus of the atom

Hydrogen atom bomb; radioactive decay