1.1.7

Calculating Changes in Energy

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Calculating Changes in Energy

Energy can be stored in many different ways and the amount of energy stored can be calculated using the following equations:

Kinetic energy

Kinetic energy

  • Kinetic energy is the energy stored by an object's movement.
  • The equation for calculating kinetic energy stored is:
    • Kinetic energy = 1/2 × mass × velocity2
    • Ek = 1/2mv2
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  • Kinetic energy is measured in joules (J).
  • Mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
  • Velocity is measured in metres per second (m/s).
Gravitational potential energy

Gravitational potential energy

  • Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in objects raised above the Earth’s surface.
  • This energy exists because of the Earth’s gravitational field.
  • The equation for calculating gravitational potential energy stored is:
    • Change in gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × change in height
    • ΔEp = mgΔh
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Units

  • Gravitational potential energy is measured in joules (J).
  • Mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
  • Gravitational field strength is measured in Newtons per kilogram (N\kg).
  • Height is measured in metres (m).
Elastic potential energy

Elastic potential energy

  • Elastic potential energy is the energy stored when an object is being stretched, compressed or squashed.
  • The equation for calculating elastic potential energy stored is:
    • Ee = 1/2ke2
    • Elastic potential energy = 1/2 × spring constant × extension2
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Units

  • Elastic potential energy is measured in joules (J).
  • The spring constant is measured in Newtons per metre (N/m).
  • Extension is measured in metres (m).
Jump to other topics
1

Energy

2

Electricity

3

Particle Model of Matter

4

Atoms & Radiation

5

Forces

5.1

Basics of Motion

5.2

Forces

5.3

Effects of Forces

5.4

Pressure

6

Waves

6.1

Wave Basics

6.2

Waves at a Boundary

6.3

Sound Waves

6.4

Electromagnetic Waves

6.5

Lenses

6.6

Heat & Radiation

7

Magnetism

8

Astrophysics

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