Gravitational Potential Energy To Kinetic Energy:How to Convert,When,Where,Examples And Facts

 

Here in this article the process of conversion of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy with its examples is going to be illustrated.

From the ground if a ball is lifted to a height above the ground then the energy obtained from this change of position is stored as the gravitational potential energy within the body.After that when the ball moves down on the ground this gravitational potential energy transforms into kinetic energy.

How are gravitational potential and kinetic energy related?

Kinetic energy is acquired by a body because of its motion and potential energy is acquired because of its position. If a body is thrown in the upward direction it remains at rest for a while in air. Then potential energy acquired due to gravitational force is stored in that body.

 It is the most common example of gravitational potential energy to kinectic energy change. After that when the body comes into motion this stored energy turns into kinetic energy.

When the body was held in the air its gravitational potential energy was maximum and kinetic energy was zero. After reaching the ground the gravitational potential energy is completely changed to kinetic energy making it maximum.

How is gravitational potential energy converted to kinetic energy?

We can clarify it with the example that is illustrated above. When the body starts to fall down from the peak position the gravitational potential energy stored in it slowly transforms into the kinetic energy.

As the body comes closer to the ground its velocity is used to increase which in turn increases the kinetic energy and decreases the gravitational potential energy. At the end when the body touches the ground all its gravitational potential energy is transformed into the kinetic energy making it the maximum.

gravitational potential energy to kinetic energytt
Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy from wikipedia

When gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy?

If a man standing at the roof of a building is holding a stone in his hand then at this moment of time the stone has maximum gravitational potential energy and zero kinetic energy.

Whenever he throws the stone it starts falling freely towards the ground. Now its gravitational potential energy starts to convert into kinetic energy. As it moves down its gravitational potential energy also slowly turns into kinetic energy.

At the moment when it touches the ground the total gravitational energy becomes completely zero whereas kinetic energy becomes maximum.

Where is gravitational potential energy converted to kinetic energy?

Let there be a box of weight W= mg. It is kept on the ground. Now if it is lifted to a height of h it will gain some gravitational potential energy of P.E.=mgh. This potential energy will be stored in the box. If the force acting on the box due to whose effect it is being lifted is removed then the box will start to fall to the ground.

Due to falling the potential energy in it turns to kinetic energy completely.

Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy formula?

The formula to convert gravitational potential energy(mgh) to kinetic energy (½mv^2) is,

                                                                  mgh= ½ mv^2

Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy efficiency

When a roller coaster is at the top position of the track it gains gravitational potential energy(P.E.) which transforms into kinetic energy(K.E.) when it moves down. According to the mathematical formula of efficiency,

                                                  Efficiency= Eout/Ein X 100%

Here  Eout is the output energy that is K.E. and Ein is the input energy that is P.E.

Therefore ,                            Efficiency= K.E./P.E. X 100%

Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy examples

20+ gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy examples with their detailed illustrations are stated below:

A bird on a tree

One of the most common examples of transformation of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy is the movement of a bird that is sitting on a branch of a tree. When the bird is sitting on the tree above a height from the ground it acquires gravitational potential energy. This potential energy changes into the kinetic energy when the bird flies down.

A flower pot hanging from a balcony

When a flower pot that is hanging from a balcony moves down the transformation of stored gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy occurs.

An apple moving down freely

When an apple is hanging from the branch of a tree it has gravitational potential energy stored in it. This potential energy turns to kinetic energy when the apple starts falling freely.

An airplane flying back to the ground

In an airplane flying back to the ground gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy conversion happens.

Roller coaster

When the roller coaster reaches the peak position it has maximum gravitational potential energy. When it starts to move down this potential energy starts changing into kinetic energy slowly.

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Energy transformation in a roller coaster from wikipedia

Lifting up a ball

When a ball is lifted to a height it gains gravitational potential energy that turns to kinetic energy when the ball moves down without the action of a force.

The water dam

The water that is held at a water dam has maximum gravitational potential energy. This gravitational potential energy completely changes to kinetic energy when the water reaches the ground.

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water dam from wikipedia

A pendulum

In a pendulum the simultaneous transformation of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy occurs.

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Energy transformation in a pendulum from wikipedia

A movement of a basketball

This is another example where gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy transformation is occuring.

A raised weight

A weight that is raised at a height above the ground when starts to fall,the stored gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy conversion takes place.

A parked car at the peak of a hill

When a parked car at the peak of a hill falls down the gravitational potential energy that is stored in it when it was at rest changes into kinetic energy.

Yoyo

When the yoyo is held at rest above the ground it gains gravitational potential energy that turns into kinetic energy when it starts to fall due to the gravitational force.

The motion of water in a Waterfall

Before the water in a waterfall starts falling to the plane it remains at rest. So it acquires gravitational potential energy. When it comes into motion this stored energy changes to kinetic energy.

A book placed on a table

A book that is kept on the edge of a table acquires gravitational potential energy due to its position. This energy changes into kinetic energy when it starts to fall.

A freely falling kite

A freely falling kite is also a common example of transformation of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy.

Throwing a stone into the air

Transformation of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy occurs in this case.

The movement of the heavyweight ball of a demolition machine

Being in an elevated position the heavyweight ball of a demolition machine stores the gravitational potential energy in it. This energy transforms into kinetic energy when this ball falls down.

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Energy transformation in the movement of the heavyweight ball of a demolition machine from wikipedia

A swing

When it is at rest it gains gravitational potential energy which changes into kinetic energy at the time of swinging of a kid.

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Energy transformation in a swing from wikipedia

A freely falling elevator

A freely falling elevator is also an example of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy.

Rainfall

In the freely falling raindrops gravitational potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.

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