Potential and Kinetic Energy can be transformed into one another?

Question

potential and kinectic energy i dont know science bye 

Answer 1

As above kinetic and potential (static) are different measures of energy. It is useful to transform them. Suppose one launches a mass m (lbf-sec^2/ft) at 10 ft/sec from level ground. How high will the mass go above the ground.

The initial kinetic energy will converted to potential energy at the maximum height (v=0) as the energy is conserved. We have

1/2mv^2=mgh. To check the units are (lbf-sec^2/ft)*(ft^2/sec^2) or lbf-ft for kinetic energy and also(lbf-sec^2)*(ft/sec^2)*ft or ft-lbf for potential energy.

As 1/2mv^2=mgh we have v^2/2=gh or h = v^2/(2*g). If we approximate the earth's gravitational constant as 32.16 Then for our problem we have h= 10^2/(2*32.16)= 1.6 (ft^2/sec^2)/(ft/sec^2)

= 1.6 ft.

Answer 2

Hi Stephanie, 

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. Potential energy is the stored energy an object contains.

Example: Let's take the example of a ball thrown into the air, then hitting the ground. 

Phase One: When you hold the ball in your hand BEFORE you throw it, the ball has lots of potential energy because it is at ground level and has not started to move yet.

Phase Two: When you throw the ball, its potential energy becomes transformed into kinetic energy because the ball is now in the air and is moving. 

Phase Three: As the ball travels through the air, it has kinetic energy. Gravity causes the ball to return to the ground and stop moving. Therefore, that kinetic energy now becomes potential energy (because the ball now returned to ground level and has stopped moving)

Sincerely, 

Starlyte H.