Potential Energy

[BlamoHammer]

Kinetic Energy = 1/2mv2 (<-----squared)

How does one figure out the potential energy?

 

[TheVrolok]

u = mgh

u = potential energy
m = mass
g = force of gravitational field
h = height

<EDIT>
So, an object, on Earth (g = 10 or so m/s^2), that weighs 1 kilo and is held at a height of 2 meters would have a potential energy of: u = 1 * 10 * 2 = 20 J

 

[Excelsior]

Well I know you can do gravitational potential energy.

Here.

 

[beer]

U = mgh (for potential energy by gravity near the surface of the earth)
U = kx (for a spring)

There are a dozen ways to compute potential energy for a variety of situations. In most cases, gravity and spring tension are the most commonly used.

 

[Corsairpro]

prolly something along the lines of:

mass X height X acceleration of gravity X something else to get you the correct units that make up joules or whatever

 

[BlamoHammer]

Thanks to those who responded.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: beer
U = mgh (for potential energy by gravity near the surface of the earth)
U = kx (for a spring)

There are a dozen ways to compute potential energy for a variety of situations. In most cases, gravity and spring tension are the most commonly used.

oh yeah, forgot to mention that one .. k = spring constant, x = displacement to clearify. 🙂

 

[isekii]

PE=KE I think from what I remember from physics

PE=mgh
KE = 1/2mv^2

solve it out by substitution.

 

[beer]

isekii -

No, PE is not equal to KE. PE + KE = a constant, assuming it's a closed system.

Not to mention there's electric field potential, vector magnetic potential, so many potentials! 🙂

 

[silverpig]

The smart ass answer is that it's 0 because it's arbitrary 🙂

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: beer
isekii -

No, PE is not equal to KE. PE + KE = a constant, assuming it's a closed system.

Not to mention there's electric field potential, vector magnetic potential, so many potentials! 🙂

I think this is how my TA taught it.
The energy assuming it's in Joules will be the same for both Kinetic and Potential energy. Since it's one being converted from one to another. No ?


OP why don't you post the problem ?