Dixie Guillen Mr. Shelton Physics 2A 15, October, 2015 Car Energy Transformation Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its positions, and kinetic energy is the energy of an object possessing movement. Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. A car is an examples in everyday life for having this energy. The change from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy is an energy transformation found in the movements done by a car. When a car possesses kinetic energy, it will go faster according to an increase in weight. The amount of kinetic energy can be found using the formula KE = 1/2*m*v2, where m equals mass and v equals velocity. The amount of kinetic energy increases according to velocity squared, therefore if the car goes twice as fast it will have four times the amount of energy. On the other hand, in order to find potential energy, the formula PE = mgh is used. M equals the mass, g equals acceleration due to gravity which will always …show more content…
The kinetic energy depends on mass and speed. Every atom and molecule will have kinetic energy. This energy will always be transferred and never destroyed as mentioned in the laws of thermodynamics. The law of thermodynamics states that when work is done and heat is created, internal energy changes according to the law of conservation of energy. In return, the energy stored becomes potential energy. If a car is driving, it will have the most kinetic energy since it has the most vibrating molecules and atoms. This is a result of the work energy that is put into the car. As the speed increases, kinetic energy increases as well. As the car slows down, it gains more potential energy for the car has less movement. Once the car is still, it has the most gravitational potential energy, because of its position in the gravitational