In what two ways can an object possess energy? How do these two ways differ from one another?

Short Answer

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An object can possess energy in two ways: kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has when in motion, calculated using the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \(m\) is the mass and \(v\) is the velocity of the object. Potential energy is the stored energy in an object at rest that can be converted into another form when an external force is applied, with gravitational potential energy being the most common form, calculated using the formula \( GPE = mgh \), where \(m\) is the mass of the object, \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is the height above a reference point. The main difference between these two forms of energy lies in the conditions under which they exist and the factors they depend on.

Step by step solution

01

Define Kinetic Energy

An object possesses kinetic energy when it is in motion. The amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on its mass and velocity. The formula for calculating kinetic energy (KE) is given by: \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \(m\) is the mass of the object (in kilograms) and \(v\) is its velocity (in meters per second).
02

Define Potential Energy

An object possesses potential energy when its stored energy can be converted into another form when an external force is applied. The most common type of potential energy we encounter is gravitational potential energy, which depends on an object's mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and the object's height relative to a reference point. The formula for gravitational potential energy (GPE) is: \( GPE = mgh \), where \(m\) is the mass of the object (in kilograms), \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²), and \(h\) is the height of the object above the reference point (in meters).
03

Differences Between Kinetic and Potential Energy

The main difference between kinetic energy and potential energy lies in the conditions under which an object possesses the energy. Kinetic energy exists when the object is in motion, while potential energy is stored energy that exists when the object is at rest but has the potential to be converted into another form, such as kinetic energy, when an external force is applied. Furthermore, the formulas for calculating kinetic and potential energy reflect their respective dependencies on different factors. Kinetic energy depends on the mass and velocity of an object, while potential energy (specifically gravitational potential energy) depends on the mass, acceleration due to gravity, and height of the object relative to a reference point.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using values from Appendix \(\mathrm{C},\) calculate the standard enthalpy change for each of the following reactions: (a) \(2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{SO}_{3}(g)\) (b) \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{MgO}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) (c) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}(g)+4 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{N}_{2}(g)+4 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)\) (d) \(\mathrm{SiCl}_{4}(l)+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{SiO}_{2}(s)+4 \mathrm{HCl}(g)\)

Identify the force present and explain whether work is done when (a) a positively charged particle moves in a circle at a fixed distance from a negatively charged particle; (b) an iron nail is pulled off a magnet.

A sample of a hydrocarbon is combusted completely in \(\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) to produce \(21.83 \mathrm{~g} \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g), 4.47 \mathrm{~g} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g),\) and \(311 \mathrm{~kJ}\) of heat. (a) What is the mass of the hydrocarbon sample that was combusted? (b) What is the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon? (c) Calculate the value of \(\Delta H_{f}^{\circ}\) per empirical-formula unit of the hydrocarbon. (d) Do you think that the hydrocarbon is one of those listed in Appendix C? Explain your answer.

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Suppose that the gas-phase reaction \(2 \mathrm{NO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow\) \(2 \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\) were carried out in a constant-volume container at constant temperature. Would the measured heat change represent \(\Delta H\) or \(\Delta E ?\) If there is a difference, which quantity is larger for this reaction? Explain.

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