Name:________________________
Period: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
KINETIC AND POTENTIAL ENERGY WORKSHEET
Determine whether the objects in the following problems have kinetic or potential energy. Then choose the
correct formula to use:
KE= 1/2 m v2
GPE = mass x gravitational acceleration (9.8m/s2) x height
Energy= Joules (J)
Weight= Newton (N)
Mass= kilograms (kg)
Velocity= meters per second (m/s)
Gravitational acceleration= (9.8 m/s2)
1. You serve a volleyball with a mass of 2.1 kg. The ball leaves your hand with a speed of 30 m/s. The ball has
Kinetic energy. Calculate it.
KE = 1/2mv2
KE = ? J
m = 2.1 kg
v = 30m/s
KE = ½ x 2.1 kg x (30m/s)2
KE = 945 J
2. A baby carriage is sitting at the top of a hill that is 21 m high. The carriage with the baby weighs 12 N. The
carriage has potential energy. Calculate it.
GPE = mgh
w = 12 N
h =21 m
GPE = 12N x 21 m
GPE = 252 J
3. A car is traveling with a velocity of 40 m/s and has a mass of 1120 kg. The car has kinetic energy. Calculate
it.
KE = 1/2mv2
m = 1120 kg
v = 40 m/s
KE = ½ x 1120 kg x (40 m/s)2
KE = 896,000 J
4. A cinder block is sitting on a platform 20 m high. It weighs 79 N. The block has potential energy. Calculate it.
GPE = mgh
GPE = ? J
W = 79 N
h = 20 m
GPE = 79 N x 20 m
GPE = 1580 J
5. There is a bell at the top of a tower that is 45 m high. The bell weighs 190 N. The bell has potential energy.
Calculate it.
GPE = mgh
GPE = ? J
w = 190 N
h = 45 m
GPE = 190 N x 45 m
GPE = 8550 J
6. A roller coaster is at the top of a 72 m hill and weighs 966 N. The coaster (at this moment) has potential
energy. Calculate it.
GPE = mgh
GPE = ? J
w = 966 N
h = 72 m
GPE = 966 N x 72 m
GPE = 69,552 J
7. What is the kinetic energy of a 3-kilogram ball that is rolling at 2 meters per second?
KE = 1/2mv2
KE = ? J
m = 3 kg
v = 2 m/s
KE = ½ x 3 kg x (2 m/s)2
KE = 6 J
8. Two objects were lifted by a machine. One object had a mass of 2 kilograms, and was lifted at a speed of
2 m/sec. The other had a mass of 4 kilograms and was lifted at a rate of 3 m/sec.
a. Which object had more kinetic energy while it was being lifted?
KE = 1/2mv2
Object #1
m = 2 kg
v = 2 m/s
KE = ? J
KE = ½ x 2 kg x (2 m/s) 2
KE = 4 J
Object #2
m = 4 kg
v = 3 m/s
KE = ? J
KE = ½ x 4 kg x (3 m/s)2
KE = 18 J
b. Which object had more potential energy when it was lifted to a distance of 10 meters?
The 4 kg object had more potential energy when it was lifted 10 m. GPE = mgh. A greater
mass would make a greater GPE.