Forms of energy

Energy exists in form of mechanical energy, heat energy, chemical energy, electrical energy and light energy. Mechanical energy is further classified as Kinetic and Potential Energy. However, in this article we will talk about Kinetic and Potential Energy.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object performing motion. For example, a moving car performs motion, hence, car possess kinetic energy. Some other examples are flying birds, rolling ball, motion of electrons around nucleus and so on.
Mathematically it is represented as:
E_k= ½ mv²
Where, E_k= Kinetic energy
m = Mass of object
v = Uniform velocity of object

Potential Energy

Potential energy is stored form of energy, which is in the state of ready to release in order to perform motion. Therefore, it is defined as, “Energy possessed by a body due to it position.” Consider an elastic. When elastic is stretched, energy gets transferred to elastic and is stored in it, in the form of potential energy. At the same time, this energy is used to bring back stretched elastic to its original position.

Gravitational Potential Energy

It is defined as, “ Work done is raising an object from ground to the height, against gravitational force”. Consider a ball placed on tall building, this ball has highest potential energy or gravitational potential energy.
Mathematically it is expressed as:
E_p = mgh
Where, m = Mass of object
g = Gravitational potential energy
h = Height at which object is present from the ground surface.

Keywords: Mechanical energy, Kinetic energy, Gravitational Potential energy, Potential energy, KE = ½mv², PE = mgh