Everything below has potential energy. Tell us happens when the potential energy of each object is changed to kinetic energy.
1. Someone gets ready to throw a paper airplane
When someone gets ready to throw a paper airplane, the potential energy in the system exists in several forms:
1. The paper airplane has gravitational potential energy by virtue of being held at a certain height above the ground. When this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the paper airplane will begin to descend, accelerating due to gravity until other forces such as air resistance balance the gravitational force.
2. The person's muscles also store elastic (or chemical) potential energy as they are tensed in preparation for the throw. When the throw occurs, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and transferred to the paper airplane through the throwing motion. This kinetic energy propels the airplane forward.
3. Additionally, if the person is standing and leans back before throwing, their center of mass shifts, and they have additional gravitational potential energy. When they lean forward to throw, this energy is partly converted into kinetic energy, contributing to the momentum of the throw.
As the airplane is thrown, the stored potential energy in both the person's body and the elevated position of the airplane is converted into kinetic energy, resulting in the forward and downward movement of the paper airplane. The precise movement would depend on the design of the paper airplane, the throwing technique, and the environmental conditions such as air currents and resistance.