Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas

HOLY INFANT ACADEMY OF ANDA INC.6

Poblacion Anda Bohol

SCIENCE 8
Learning Activity No.2.1
Name: __________________________________________ Score: __________
Year& Section: Date: ______________________________ Date: ___________

Activity Title : Differentiating Potential and Kinetic Energy through problem solving
Learning Target:
1. differentiate potential and kinetic energy;
References: 1. Science Learner’s Material grade 8, p. 26-30
Concept:
Potential Energy:
Potential energy (PE) or gravitational energy is the energy gained or lost by the object above the ground.
Potential energy is also called stored energy because it has potential to do work once released.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on how heavy the object is and how high it is.
The heavier an object is, the more gravitational potential energy it has, and the higher an object is, the more
gravitational potential energy it has.
Work done on an object is equal to the potential energy (PE) gained by the object. W=PE
If W=mgh Hence, PE=mgh where g = 9.8 m/s2

Formula of Potential energy is PE=mgh

Find the mass using this formula: m=PE/gh
and height using this formula: h=PE/mg
Unit is J (joule) = Nm where N=kg m/s2
Kinetic energy
The energy of a moving object is called energy of motion or kinetic energy (KE). Kinetic energy quantifies the
amount of work the object can do because of its motion.
The kinetic energy of an object depends on how massive the object is and how fast the object is moving.
The more massive an object is, the more energy it has, and the faster an object is moving, the more energy it
has. Hence, KE of an object will be doubled if the mass of an object is doubled but its velocity remains the
same. KE of an object will be quadrupled if the velocity is doubled but the mass remains the same.
The formula is KE=1/2 mv2 unit is J (joule) = Nm
Find the mass using this formula: m=2KE/ v2
Find the velocity using the formula: v= √ 2 KE /m

Sample Problem:

1. An object has a mass of 30 kg is placed on a hill top of height 80m. What is the potential energy possessed by
the object? where g = 9.8 m/s2
Given:
m= 30kg h= 80m Solution: PE= mgh
PE= 30kg x9.8 m/s2x 80m
PE= 25, 520 Joule
2. A fruit hangs from a tree and is about to fall to the ground of 10 meters height. It has a potential energy of
22.5 J. Calculate the mass of the fruit. Where g = 9.8 m/s2
Given: PE= 22.5 J h= 10 m Solution: m=PE/gh
m = 22.5 J /9.8 m/s2 x10m
m = 0.229 kg
3. A body has a mass of 4 kg had a gravitational potential energy of 2136.4 Joule relative to the ground. Determine
its height. Consider the acceleration due to gravity to be g = 9.8 m/s2
Given: m= 4 kg PE= 2136.4 J Solution: h=PE/mg
h= 2136.4/ 4kg x 9.8 m/s2
h= 54.5 m
 1. What is the kinetic energy of a 1200 kg object that is moving with a speed of 24m/s?
Given: m= 1200kg v= 24m/s Solution: KE=1/2 mv2
2
1 x 1200 kgx(24)
=
2

1 x 1200 kgx(576)2
=
2

1200 x 576
=
2

691200
=
2

KE = 345, 600 J
2. The kinetic energy of a boat is calculated at 52, 000 J. If the boat has a mass of 39, 000 kg, with what velocity is
its moving?
v= √2 KE
Given: KE= 52, 000 J m= 39, 000 kg Solution:
m

v= √2 x 52 , 000 J
39 ,000

v= √104,000 kgm/s 2
39 ,000 kg

v= √ 2.6 m/s 2

v= 1.63 m/s

3. A car travelling at 10 m/s has 200,000 J of kinetic energy. What is the mass of the car?
Given: KE= 200000 J v= 10 m/s Solution:
2 KE
m=
v2

2 x 200,0000 J
m=
¿¿

400,000 J
m= 2
100 m/s

m= 40, 000 kg

Answer the following problem.

1. Determine the kinetic energy of a 625 roller coaster car that is moving with a speed of 18.3m/s.
2. An object has a mass of 5kg. Calculate its potential energy 3m above the ground. Consider the acceleration due
to gravity to be g = 9.8 m/s2

3. A body has a mass of 5 kg had a gravitational potential energy of 2138.4 Joule relative to the ground. Determine
its height. Consider the acceleration due to gravity to be g = 9.8 m/s2

4. A fruit hangs from a tree and is about to fall to the ground of 8 meters height. It has a potential energy of
20.5 J. Calculate the mass of the fruit. Where g = 9.8 m/s2

5. The kinetic energy of a boat is calculated at 50, 000 J. If the boat has a mass of 36, 000 kg, with what velocity is
its moving?

6. A car travelling at 5 m/s has 100,000 J of kinetic energy. What is the mass of the car?