potential energy
Examples include gravitational and elastic potential energy. This topic is part of Physics within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 10 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
potential energy trivia questions
Potential energy is stored energy due to position or what?
Answer: Configuration
Bonus fact: Examples include gravitational and elastic potential energy.
A raised object has what kind of potential energy?
Answer: Gravitational
Bonus fact: Its energy depends on height in a gravitational field.
Near Earth's surface, gravitational potential energy is commonly calculated as what?
Answer: mgh
Bonus fact: Mass, gravitational acceleration, and height determine the energy.
When a falling object's potential energy decreases, what generally increases?
Answer: Kinetic energy
Bonus fact: Energy transforms from gravitational potential to motion.
Which ancient siege engine used a sling on a long arm powered mainly by a heavy counterweight?
Answer: Trebuchet
Bonus fact: A counterweight trebuchet converts gravitational potential energy into projectile motion.
What form of stored energy powers a torsion catapult when twisted ropes or sinews are tightened?
Answer: Elastic potential energy
Bonus fact: Twisted bundles in torsion engines store elastic potential energy before release.
Energy stored because of an object's position or configuration is called what?
Answer: Potential energy
Bonus fact: Potential energy can be gravitational, elastic, chemical, and more.
What force provides much of the speed after a traditional coaster's first big hill?
Answer: Gravity
Bonus fact: Potential energy converts to kinetic energy on descents.
What stored energy does water behind a dam have because of its height?
Answer: Gravitational potential energy
Bonus fact: Falling water converts that energy into motion.
What energy transformation occurs as water falls through a dam?
Answer: Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy
Bonus fact: Turbines then convert motion into mechanical energy.