Kinetic Energy and Changes in Gravitational Potential Energy Equations

Transferring Energy

Energy can be transferred between objects or transferred into different forms.
The unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the Joule, symbolised by J.
Energy can be transferred mechanically through the movement of the parts in machines, and when objects are built or deformed.
Energy can be transferred electrically through power stations, home circuits or battery-powered devices.
Energy can be transferred by radiation such as light, infra-red (for heat), or by sound waves.
Energy can be transferred thermally, through warming homes and cooking food etc.

To do work on an object, a force must be applied to it.
The work done on the object is equal to the magnitude of the force multiplied by the distance over which the force is applied.
If the direction of the force and movement of the object are the same, the equation is Work = Force x distance.
Work and energy are equivalent, so the work done on an object by a force is also the energy transferred to it by that force.

The energy that an object has due to its motion is known as kinetic energy.
The energy of position related to other objects is termed as potential energy.
If an object is deformed, it possesses a type of potential energy known as elastic potential energy.
By changing an object’s position, motion, or state of deformation, we can transfer energy into or out of it.

The formula for kinetic energy is 1/2 mass x velocity^2.
The formula for gravitational potential energy is mass x gravitational field strength x height.
These two equations are commonly used to calculate the energy of moving objects and objects held up against gravity.
By rearranging these formulas, it’s possible to find other quantities, such as velocity, mass, or height.