Potential and Kinetic Energy

Question 1

Mechanical systems:

E.g. Scissors, Input:

Answer 1

Scissors held in hand, open, with blades apart. Scissors has potential energy.

Question 2

Mechanical:

Scissors, Process:

Answer 2

Scissors are closed together so the blades are moved together. Potential energy changes to kinetic energy.

Question 3

Mechanical:

Scissors, Output:

Answer 3

Scissor blades move together and cut through a piece of paper. Scissors has kinetic energy.

Question 4

Mechanical:

E.g. Bicycle, Input:

Answer 4

Bicycle parts are at rest. Person is on bike, ready to begin cycling. Parts have potential energy and so does the person on the bike.

Question 5

Mechanical:

Bicycle, Process:

Answer 5

Person begins to pedal. Pedals move the cog and front cog moves the chain. The chain moves the rear cog. Together these parts move the wheels. Potential energy changes into kinetic energy.

Question 6

Mechanical:

Bicycle, Output:

Answer 6

Wheels move the bicycle forward. Bicycle has kinetic energy. Person’s legs are also moving and have kinetic energy.

Question 7

Thermal Systems:

E.g. Pot of water, Input:

Answer 7

Partials of the stove plate and pot have potential energy because they conduct heat.

Question 8

Thermal:

Pot of water, Process:

Answer 8

Stove is turned on and heats up. Particles of stove move around quicker, creating heat. Potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.

Question 9

Thermal:

Pot of water, Output:

Answer 9

Heat is transferred from the stove plate to the pot and heats up the contents. Particles of a stove plate, pot and its contents have kinetic energy.

Question 10

Electrical systems:

Energy transfer to light bulb, Input:

Answer 10

Light bulb has chemical potential energy to light up.

Question 11

Electrical:

Energy transfer, Process:

Answer 11

Switch on, electrons travel to light, chemical potential energy turns to kinetic energy.

Question 12

Electrical:

Energy transfer, Output:

Answer 12

Light bulb lights up, has light energy.

Question 13

Biological Systems:

E.g. Eating an apple, Input:

Answer 13

Food in mouth, waiting to be broken down. Has chemical potential energy.

Question 14

Biological:

Apple, Process:

Answer 14

Food chewed and in system. Chemical energy turns to kinetic energy.

Question 15

Biological:

Apple, Output:

Answer 15

Food broken down into system. Person runs around from food’s energy. Has kinetic energy.