Energy Resources and Transfer: Kinetic and Potential Energy Stores

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. This includes objects that are moving or rolling.
The formula for kinetic energy is 1/2 (m*v^2), where m is the mass of the moving object and v is its velocity.
Potential energy is the stored energy within an object, owing to its position in a force field or its configuration. For instance, a rock at the top of a hill has potential energy.
There are two types of potential energy: gravitational and elastic potential energy.
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position above the ground. The higher the object, the greater its gravitational potential energy.
The formula for gravitational potential energy is m * g * h, where m is the mass, g is the gravitational field strength, and h is the height above ground level.
Elastic potential energy is the energy stored when an object is stretched or compressed. Things like springs and rubber bands have elastic potential energy.
The formula for elastic potential energy is 1/2 * k * x^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the extension of the spring from its resting length.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only be transferred from one form to another. This concept is known as the conservation of energy.
Energy transfer can take place through various methods such as heating, radiation, electrical work, and mechanical work.
Energy efficiency can be improved by reducing the amount of energy wasted in these transfers.
Energy resources are classified into two categories: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable energy resources can be replenished naturally and include wind, solar and tidal energy. Non-renewable energy resources can not be replenished and include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Renewable resources have greater long-term sustainability but due to certain constraints like weather-dependence or geographical limitations, a mix of different energy resources is often used.
Energy stores and transfers often involve more than one type of energy. For example, when a ball is thrown, energy is transferred from the kinetic energy store of your hand to the kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy stores of the ball.
To calculate the amount of energy transferred or work done, you can use the formula: Work done (J) = Force (N) x Distance (m).