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Multiple Choice
How does kinetic energy differ from potential energy?
A
Kinetic energy depends on the temperature of an object, while potential energy does not.
B
Kinetic energy can be converted into mass, while potential energy cannot.
C
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is the energy stored due to an object's position or configuration.
D
Kinetic energy is always greater than potential energy for any object.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Kinetic energy is defined as the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is given by the formula: , where is the mass of the object and is its velocity.
Potential energy, on the other hand, is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. A common form of potential energy is gravitational potential energy, which is given by: , where is the mass, is the acceleration due to gravity, and is the height above a reference point.
Kinetic energy is directly related to the motion of an object. If an object is at rest, its kinetic energy is zero. As the object's speed increases, its kinetic energy increases.
Potential energy is related to the position of an object within a force field, such as a gravitational or electric field. It represents the potential for an object to do work due to its position.
The conversion between kinetic and potential energy is a fundamental concept in physics, often observed in systems like pendulums or roller coasters, where energy is continuously transformed between kinetic and potential forms without loss in an ideal system.