This stored energy is called
potential energy
. Sharon explained that this stored energy
as the ball fell.
converted into kinetic energy
The stored energy that Sharon explained as the ball fell is called potential energy.
The stored energy being referred to here is potential energy. It is the energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition. In the given context, Sharon mentioned this stored energy as the ball fell.
To understand potential energy, one can start with the concept of gravitational potential energy. This type of potential energy arises from an object's position relative to the Earth's surface. The higher an object is elevated, the greater its gravitational potential energy. As the object falls under the force of gravity, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion.
To determine the potential energy of an object, you need to know its mass (m) and its height (h) relative to a reference point. The formula for gravitational potential energy is:
Potential Energy (PE) = m * g * h
Here, g is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s^2 on Earth. By plugging in the values for mass and height, you can calculate the potential energy.
It is worth noting that potential energy is not limited to just gravitational potential energy. There are other forms of potential energy, such as elastic potential energy (found in stretched or compressed objects), chemical potential energy (stored in chemical bonds), and more. The specific type of potential energy depends on the forces and conditions acting on the object.