The first law of thermodynamics, also known as Law of Conservation of Energy, states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; energy can only be transferred or changed from one form to another. For example, turning on a light would seem to produce energy; however, it is electrical energy that is converted.

Thermodynamics: Kinetic and Potential Energy. Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass of the object and to the square of its velocity: K.E. = 1/2 m v2. If the mass has units of kilograms and the velocity of meters per second, the kinetic energy has units of kilograms-meters squared per second squared.

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position. Objects can have both kinetic energy and potential energy at the same time. An object can be moving (have kinetic energy) and be elevated above the ground at the same time (and also have potential energy).

The law of conservation of energy, also known as the first law of thermodynamics, states that the energy of a closed system must remain constant—it can neither increase nor decrease without interference from outside.

Sun

sunlight

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. If we want to accelerate an object, then we must apply a force. Applying a force requires us to do work. The energy transferred is known as kinetic energy, and it depends on the mass and speed achieved.

Kinetic energy is the energy of anything that is moving. When you are running, or walking, or chewing potato chips, you have a kinetic energy level. Even when you’re sleeping, the inside of your body never stops moving. In fact, nothing ever does- atoms vibrate and move past each other constantly.

When the ball is held at its highest point, it has potential energy, specifically gravitational potential energy. 2. When the ball is falling towards the table, it has kinetic energy. It has the most kinetic energy at the very end of its descent when it is moving the fastest.

When the object hits the ground, the kinetic energy has to go somewhere, because energy isn’t created or destroyed, only transferred. If the collision is elastic, meaning the object can bounce, much of the energy goes into making it bounce up again.

When the cannon ball reaches the top of its arc, its kinetic energy is zero and its potential energy is at the maximum. As gravity continues to pull the cannon ball toward the earth, the ball will fall downwards, causing its height to decrease and its speed to increase.