energy diagrams
You can infer how much potential and kinetic energy an object has in a diagram based on its position, height from the ground, etc.
For example, in the image to the right, the higher level above the ground the car is, the more potential energy it has. The closer it is to the ground, the more kinetic energy. One thing to note is that as potential energy increases, the kinetic energy should decrease and vice versa. The total energy will always be the same. See some more examples below. |
energy transformationsWhen energy is converted from one form to another, an energy transformation has occurred. Energy is transfer when it moves from one object to another. Some energy transformations involved single transformations whereas others involve many transformations.'
In a pendulum, a continuous transformation between kinetic and potential energy takes place. |