Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to determine whether each scenario describes
Potential Energy (P) or
Kinetic Energy (K).
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🔹 Definitions:
-
Potential Energy (P): Stored energy due to position, height, or state (e.g., an object at rest at a height).
-
Kinetic Energy (K): Energy of motion (an object that is moving).
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Now, let’s go through each example:
1.
An egg sitting on the kitchen counter, about to roll onto the floor.
→ It's at rest but has height →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
2.
A baseball in the air, thrown from the catcher back to the pitcher.
→ The ball is moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
3.
A roller coaster at the top of the hill about to go down the big hill.
→ At the top, it has height and is about to move →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
4.
A soccer player running around the soccer field.
→ The player is in motion →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
5.
The batter is about to swing the bat.
→ "About to" means not yet moving → still has stored energy →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
6.
A sled going down a snowy hill.
→ Moving downhill →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
7.
A skydiver about to jump out of a plane.
→ Still in the plane, not yet falling → at rest, but high up →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
8.
An apple falling out of a tree.
→ Falling = moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
9.
A deer running across a field.
→ In motion →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
10.
A kangaroo in mid-jump about to come back down to the ground.
→ In mid-air, moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
11.
A basketball sitting on the edge of the rim about to fall in the hoop.
→ At rest, but at height →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
12.
A runner running in a marathon.
→ Running = moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
13.
An acorn about to fall out of the tree to the ground.
→ "About to fall" → still at rest →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
14.
A boat speeding across the river.
→ Moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
15.
A soccer ball reaching the highest point about to fall back down.
→ At the peak, it momentarily stops → no motion →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
16.
A bowling ball rolling down the lane.
→ Rolling = moving →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
17.
A skier at the top of the slope about to ski down the hill.
→ At rest at height →
Potential Energy (P)
✔ P
18.
An arrow from a bow shooting through the air.
→ Moving through the air →
Kinetic Energy (K)
✔ K
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✔ Final Answers:
1. P
2. K
3. P
4. K
5. P
6. K
7. P
8. K
9. K
10. K
11. P
12. K
13. P
14. K
15. P
16. K
17. P
18. K
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📝 Summary:
-
P (Potential Energy): Objects at rest with height or stored energy.
-
K (Kinetic Energy): Objects in motion.
This worksheet helps reinforce understanding of how energy transforms between potential and kinetic states depending on motion and position.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of kinetic energy worksheet.