Page 2: Kinetic and Potential Energy Calculations
This page delves into the mathematical aspects of kinetic energy, elastic potential energy, and gravitational potential energy, providing detailed equations and practical examples for calculations.
Definition: Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated using the formula: Ek = ½mv².
Example: A detailed calculation shows how to find the kinetic energy of a 400kg car moving at 10m/s, resulting in 20kJ of energy.
Highlight: The spring constant (k) in elastic potential energy calculations measures spring stiffness - a higher value indicates a stiffer spring.
Vocabulary: Hooke's Law (F=ke) describes the relationship between force and extension in elastic objects, valid up to the limit of proportionality.