what is potential energy?what is kinetic energy?

Answer 1

potential energy:

Think of a pitcher winding up the pitch. The ball is not really moving, but the energy is building in his arm. That energy is then moved into the ball when he throws. The potential energy (how fast his arm is moving) get translated into the ball, which makes the ball move faster. Once the ball is in motion, it has kinetic energy because, anything that ball hits will receive the energy it is carrying. That's why catchers' mits are so heavily padded, to absorb all that kinetic energy.

When the ball hits the bat, the kinetic energy of the bat (swinging) and the reflected energy of the ball itself combine to give the ball enough energy to go over the wall for a homerun. A person standing at home-plate could never throw a ball over the far wall, there just isn't enough potential energy in a person's arm for that.

Answer 2

WHEN A BODY IS ELEVATED AT HIGHER ELEVATION WITH RESPECT EARTH'S SURFACE, IT GAINS A POTENTIAL TO DO SOME WORK DUE TO GRAVITY FORCE . THIS IS POTENTIAL ENERGY. more the height, more is the energy.
simil;arly a body in motion is also able to some work before stopping to rest by virtue of its motion. this is kinetic energy. more the velovcity, more is the energy.

Answer 3

Potential energy is any form of energy that exists in a system due to its position while not in motion. Forms of potential energy include gravitational potential energy (GPE = mgh, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height) due to position in a gravitational field, elastic potential energy (EPE = 0.5*kx^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from equilibrium) due to compression or tension in a spring or other elastic body obeying Hooke's law, and electrical potential energy due to position in an electric field.

Kinetic energy is energy of motion and has the formula KE = 0.5*mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity.

Answer 4

The following link has a nice explanation and examples of potential and kinetic energy:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/science/formsofenergy.html

Answer 5

Best example is a rock sitting on a ledge. As long as it sits stationary its total mass, plus gravity gives it potential energy. When that rock is pushed over that ledge its total mass plus gravity gives it kinetic energy.

Answer 6

simple. potential energy is energy at rest, while kinetic is energy in motion.