Energy

Physics
 Objectives
1 Define energy;

2 Identify different forms of energy and their

characteristics;
3 Understand the concept of energy transfer and
dissipation and its consequences.;
4 Explore the relationship between gravitational
potential energy and kinetic energy in systems.
 What is energy?
● Energy is the ability to do work.
● The unit of energy is Joule (J), one joule has a
very small amount of energy, so we often use
kilojoules (kJ).
○ 1 kJ = 1000 J
● A kilocalorie (kcal) is used for the energy stored
in food
○ 1 kcal = 4.2 kJ
What are the types of energy?
Although there are many forms of energy, it is
broadly categorized into:

1. Potential Energy
2. Kinetic Energy
 What is Potential Energy?
● Potential energy is the energy stored in an object
or system of objects.
● “Potential” means the energy has the ability to do
something useful later.
● Potential energy can transform into a more useful
form of kinetic energy.
 Examples of Objects with
Potential Energy

Stretched rubber band Water at the top of Yo-yo in your hand

waterfall
 Gravitational Potential Energy
(GPE)
● Gravitational Potential Energy is the most
common form of potential energy.
● It is the potential energy carried by objects due to
the Earth’s gravity.
● It is affected by their mass and their position
from the Earth’s core.
 GPE = m x g x h

● m - mass of the object (kg)

● g - gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s2)
● h - height or distance of the object from the
ground (m)
Remember:
● The higher the object from the ground,
the more potential energy it has.

● The more massive the object is,

the more potential energy it has.
 Which object has more
gravitational potential energy?

Brick Feather
 Which object has more
gravitational potential energy?

Brick Feather
 Which object has more
gravitational potential energy?
● The brick has more
mass than feather.
● Assuming both are
of the same height
from the ground,
the brick has more
potential energy.
Brick
Changing object’s height can change
its potential energy.
Where should I place the apple so that it will have the
greatest gravitational potential energy?
Where should I place the apple so that it will have the greatest
gravitational potential energy?
The higher the object is
from the ground, the
more gravitational
potential energy it has.
Potential Energy converted to
Kinetic Energy

When an object at rest

begins to move, its potential
energy is converted or
transferred to kinetic energy.
Potential Energy converted to
Kinetic Energy
What is Kinetic Energy?
● The energy of a moving object
● “Kinetic” means related to movement
● When stored energy is being used up, it
make things move or happen
● It is dependent on the moving object’s
mass and velocity
 Kinetic Energy = ½ mv²

● m - mass of the object (kg)

● v - velocity of the object (m/s)
 Examples of Objects with
Kinetic Energy

Moving motorbike Running person Skiing person

Remember:
● The faster the object moves, the more
kinetic energy it has.

● The more massive the moving object is, the

more kinetic energy it has.
When these objects move at the same speed,
which will have more kinetic energy?

SUV Truck
When these objects move at the same speed,
which will have more kinetic energy?

SUV Truck
 The truck has
more mass.
Therefore, more
kinetic energy.
Truck
Remember:
● The faster the object moves, the more
kinetic energy it has.

● The more massive the moving object is, the

more kinetic energy it has.
Energy
Transfer and
Dissipation
Energy Transfer
● The movement of energy from one place to
another
● May also cause the movement of objects
that carry the moving energy
● In Physics, also called ‘Work’
What are common examples of
energy transfer?
1. Mechanical work - a force moving an object
through a distance.

2. Electrical work - charges moving due to a

potential difference.
What are common examples of
energy transfer?
3. Heating - due to temperature difference
caused electrically or by chemical reaction.

4. Radiation - energy transferred as a wave, eg

light and infrared - light radiation and
infrared radiation are emitted from the sun.
Example of Energy Transfers
A swinging pirate ship
ride at a theme park.

Kinetic energy is
transferred into
gravitational potential
energy.
Example of Energy Transfers
A boat being
accelerated by the
force of the engine

The boat pushes

through the water
as chemical energy
is transferred into
kinetic energy.
Example of Energy Transfers
Bringing water to the boil in
an electric kettle

Electricity through the kettle

increases the internal energy
of the element which in turn
increases the internal
(thermal) energy of the water
which increases the
temperature of the water.
 What is “Energy Dissipation”?

Dissipation, a term often used to describe ways in

which energy is wasted, refers to any energy not
transferred to useful energy stores, considered
wasted as it is lost to the surroundings.
 How energy dissipates?
The braking system in a car provides a real-life
example of energy dissipation, where the kinetic
energy of the moving vehicle is transformed and
partially lost as heat during the braking process.
 How energy dissipates?
In an electrical context, new types of components
can be more energy-efficient. For example, using
LED light bulbs as opposed to filament lamps
causes less energy to be wasted.
Remember:
● The lesser the heat the lesser energy
dissipates or wasted.

● In the context of energy efficiency,

minimizing heat generation or dissipation
is desirable.
Elastic
Potential
Energy
 What is Elastic Potential Energy?

● Elastic Potential Energy is

the potential energy stored
in an elastic material when
it is stretched or
compressed.
According to Hooke’s
law, the force applied to
stretch the spring is
directly proportional to
the amount of stretch.