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POGIL: Kinetic Energy and Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy can be thought of as the capacity of an object to enact change. We have seen that energy can be transferred
between different mechanisms and thus cause changes in a system. In this POGIL we will learn how to calculate
the amount of energy stored in two mechanisms: kinetic energy (Ek) and gravitational potential energy (Eg).

Kinetic Energy (Ek)

The kinetic energy (Ek) of an object is a measure of an object’s energy associated with its motion. The diagrams
below show several objects of different masses moving at different velocities. The kinetic energy of each object
is calculated. Note that we use Joules as the unit of energy, abbreviated with the letter J.
kinetic energy = ½ × (mass) × (velocity)2
1 1
10 m/s 𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = ሺ15 kgሻሺ10 m/sሻ2
15 kg 2 2

Ek = 750 kg-m2/s2 = 750 Joules = 750 J

kinetic energy = ½ × (mass) × (velocity)2

1 1
15 kg
20 m/s 𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = ሺ15 kgሻሺ20 m/sሻ2
2 2

Ek = 3000 kg-m2/s2 = 3000 Joules = 3000 J

kinetic energy = ½ × (mass) × (velocity)2

1 1
10 m/s 𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = ሺ30 kgሻሺ10 m/sሻ2
30 kg 2 2

Ek = 1500 kg-m2/s2 = 1500 Joules = 1500 J

1. Calculate the kinetic energy, in Joules, of the following objects.

(a) a 70 kg person running at 4 m/s

(b) a 0.001 kg ant moving at a speed of 0.02 m/s

(c) a 1000 kg car traveling at 30 m/s

(d) a 0.05 kg ball moving at 25 m/s

2. Can kinetic energy ever be negative? Why or why not?

3. Rank the following objects in order from lowest kinetic energy to highest kinetic energy. Indicate a tie with
an equal sign.
(a) an object of mass m traveling with a speed v
(b) an object of mass 2m traveling with a speed v
(c) an object of mass m traveling with a speed 2v
(d) an object of mass ½m traveling at speed 2v
(e) an object of mass 2m traveling at speed ½v

Gravitational Potential Energy (Eg)

The gravitational potential energy of an object is the energy of an object associated with its position while under
the influence of a gravitational force. The diagrams below show several objects of different masses at different
heights above a reference level. The gravitational potential energy of each object relative to the reference level
shown is calculated.

gravitational potential energy =

mass × acceleration due to gravity × height 2 kg
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = ሺ2 kgሻሺ10 m/s2 ሻሺ+5 mሻ
Eg = 100 J

gravitational potential energy = 5m

mass × acceleration due to gravity × height 1 kg
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = ሺ1 kgሻሺ10 m/s 2 ሻሺ0 mሻ reference level, h = 0
Eg = 0 J
10 kg 4m
gravitational potential energy =
mass × acceleration due to gravity × height
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = ሺ10 kgሻሺ10 m/s 2 ሻሺ-4 mሻ
15 kg 3m
Eg = −400 J

gravitational potential energy =

mass × acceleration due to gravity × height
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = ሺ15 kgሻሺ10 m/s2 ሻሺ-7 mሻ
Eg = −1050 J
4. In the picture below, a 1000 kg car starts at point A and travels down a hill through points B, C, and D.

A
5m
B
5m
C
7m

D
(a) Using the vertical level of point D as the reference level, calculate:
i. the car's gravitational potential energy at points A, B, C, and D

Eg (point A) = Eg (point B) =

Eg (point C) = Eg (point D) =

ii. the car's change in gravitational potential energy (ΔEg) in traveling from point A to B, A to C, and A
to D.

ΔEg (A to B) = ΔEg (A to C) =

ΔEg (A to D) =

(b) Using the vertical level of point A as the reference level, calculate:
i. the car's gravitational potential energy at points A, B, C, and D

Eg (point A) = Eg (point B) =

Eg (point C) = Eg (point D) =

ii. the car's change in gravitational potential energy (ΔEg) in traveling from point A to B, A to C, and A
to D.

ΔEg (A to B) = ΔEg (A to C) =

ΔEg (A to D) =

5. Does the choice of reference level affect:

(a) the amount of potential energy an object has? Explain.

(b) the change in potential energy of an object when traveling between two heights? Explain.
Kinetic and Potential Energy Practice

Classify the following as a type of potential energy or kinetic energy (use the letters K or P)

6. A bicyclist pedaling up a hill _____ 7. An archer with his bow drawn _____

8. A volleyball player spiking a ball _____ 9. A baseball thrown to second base _____

10. The chemical bonds in sugar _____ 11. The wind blowing through your hair _____

12. Walking down the street _____ 13. Sitting in the top of a tree _____

14. A bowling ball rolling down the alley _____ 15. A bowling ball sitting on the rack _____

What examples can you find in your home that are examples of kinetic and potential energy (name two for each
type of energy)?

16. Kinetic: __________________________________________________________________________

17. Kinetic: __________________________________________________________________________

18. Potential: _________________________________________________________________________

19. Potential: _________________________________________________________________________

Solve the following word problems using the kinetic and potential energy formulas (Be sure to show your work!)
20. Determine the kinetic energy of a 1000-kg roller coaster car that is moving with a speed of 20.0 m/s.

21. If the roller coaster car in the above problem were moving with twice the speed, then what would be its new
kinetic energy?

22. Missy Diwater, the former platform diver for the Ringling Brother's Circus had a kinetic energy of
15,000 J just prior to hitting the bucket of water. If Missy's mass is 50 kg, then what is her speed?

23. A cart is loaded with a brick and pulled at constant speed along an inclined plane to the height of a seat-top.
If the mass of the loaded cart is 3.0 kg and the height of the seat top is 0.45 meters, then what is the potential
energy of the loaded cart at the height of the seat-top?

24. A 75-kg refrigerator is located on the 70th floor of a skyscraper (300 meters above the ground) What is the
potential energy of the refrigerator?

25. The potential energy of a 40-kg cannon ball is 14000 J. How high was the cannon ball to have this much
potential energy?