Science
What is Kinetic and potential energy?
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; potential energy is stored energy waiting to be released, often due to position. A ball at the top of a hill has potential energy that turns into kinetic energy as it rolls down — energy converting from one form to another.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains kinetic and potential energy.
Key things to understand
- 1Kinetic energy is the energy of moving objects.
- 2Potential energy is stored energy, often from position.
- 3One can convert into the other (e.g., a falling object).
- 4Together they illustrate conservation of energy.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
- Kinetic energy is energy of motion; potential energy is stored energy, such as from an object's height.
- What's an example of potential turning into kinetic energy?
- A roller coaster at the top of a hill (potential) speeds up as it descends (kinetic).
- How are they related to conservation of energy?
- Energy converts between potential and kinetic forms, but the total amount stays the same in a closed system.