Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 2 - Section 2.3 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 74: 1

Answer

Energy is the capacity or ability to do work. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is essential for explaining how the physical world operates. There are two basic forms of energy: kinetic energy and potential energy. 1. **Kinetic Energy**: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any object that is in motion possesses kinetic energy. The amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on its mass (m) and its velocity (v) and is calculated using the following formula: **Kinetic Energy (KE) = 0.5 * m * v^2** Where: - KE is the kinetic energy in joules (J). - m is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). - v is the velocity of the object in meters per second (m/s). Kinetic energy increases as the mass or velocity of an object increases. For example, a moving car has more kinetic energy than a stationary one, and a heavy moving object has more kinetic energy than a light one at the same speed. 2. **Potential Energy**: Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or state. It is energy that is stored and can be converted into kinetic energy when the object's position changes. There are several types of potential energy: - **Gravitational Potential Energy**: This type of potential energy depends on an object's height above the ground. The formula to calculate gravitational potential energy is: **Gravitational Potential Energy (PE) = m * g * h** Where: - PE is the gravitational potential energy in joules (J). - m is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). - g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s^2 on Earth). - h is the height above a reference point (usually the ground) in meters (m). - **Elastic Potential Energy**: Elastic potential energy is associated with objects that can be stretched or compressed, such as a spring. The formula for elastic potential energy is: **Elastic Potential Energy (PE) = 0.5 * k * x^2** Where: - PE is the elastic potential energy in joules (J). - k is the spring constant (a measure of the stiffness of the spring) in newtons per meter (N/m). - x is the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position in meters (m). - **Chemical Potential Energy**: This type of potential energy is associated with the energy stored in chemical bonds within molecules. When chemical reactions occur, this energy can be released as kinetic energy or used to do work. In summary, energy can exist in various forms, but the two fundamental forms are kinetic energy, which is associated with motion, and potential energy, which is associated with an object's position or state. Energy can be converted from one form to another, but the total energy in a closed system remains constant, as per the law of conservation of energy.

Work Step by Step

Energy is the capacity or ability to do work. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is essential for explaining how the physical world operates. There are two basic forms of energy: kinetic energy and potential energy. 1. **Kinetic Energy**: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any object that is in motion possesses kinetic energy. The amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on its mass (m) and its velocity (v) and is calculated using the following formula: **Kinetic Energy (KE) = 0.5 * m * v^2** Where: - KE is the kinetic energy in joules (J). - m is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). - v is the velocity of the object in meters per second (m/s). Kinetic energy increases as the mass or velocity of an object increases. For example, a moving car has more kinetic energy than a stationary one, and a heavy moving object has more kinetic energy than a light one at the same speed. 2. **Potential Energy**: Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or state. It is energy that is stored and can be converted into kinetic energy when the object's position changes. There are several types of potential energy: - **Gravitational Potential Energy**: This type of potential energy depends on an object's height above the ground. The formula to calculate gravitational potential energy is: **Gravitational Potential Energy (PE) = m * g * h** Where: - PE is the gravitational potential energy in joules (J). - m is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). - g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s^2 on Earth). - h is the height above a reference point (usually the ground) in meters (m). - **Elastic Potential Energy**: Elastic potential energy is associated with objects that can be stretched or compressed, such as a spring. The formula for elastic potential energy is: **Elastic Potential Energy (PE) = 0.5 * k * x^2** Where: - PE is the elastic potential energy in joules (J). - k is the spring constant (a measure of the stiffness of the spring) in newtons per meter (N/m). - x is the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position in meters (m). - **Chemical Potential Energy**: This type of potential energy is associated with the energy stored in chemical bonds within molecules. When chemical reactions occur, this energy can be released as kinetic energy or used to do work. In summary, energy can exist in various forms, but the two fundamental forms are kinetic energy, which is associated with motion, and potential energy, which is associated with an object's position or state. Energy can be converted from one form to another, but the total energy in a closed system remains constant, as per the law of conservation of energy.
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