AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Potential Energy

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Potential Energy, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does $k$ represent in the spring potential energy formula?

Answer: $k$ is the spring constant in N/m. Measures the spring's resistance to deformation.

Flashcard 2: Calculate the gravitational potential energy of a 7 kg object at 3 m height.

Answer: Potential energy is $205.8 \, \text{J}$. Using $PE = mgh = (7)(9.8)(3) = 205.8$ J.

Flashcard 3: What does $x$ represent in the spring potential energy formula?

Answer: $x$ is the displacement from equilibrium in meters. How far the spring is compressed or stretched from rest.

Flashcard 4: If a spring is stretched twice as far, how does potential energy change?

Answer: Potential energy quadruples. PE depends on $x^2$, so doubling $x$ increases PE by $4$.

Flashcard 5: What is elastic potential energy?

Answer: Energy stored in an object when it is stretched or compressed. Deformation energy that can be recovered when released.

Flashcard 6: What is the significance of the zero potential energy reference point?

Answer: It is arbitrary and used for convenience in calculations. Chosen for mathematical convenience, not physical necessity.

Flashcard 7: What happens to potential energy when the reference point changes?

Answer: Potential energy value changes, not the physical energy. Only the numerical value changes, not actual energy content.

Flashcard 8: Define the concept of mechanical energy.

Answer: Mechanical energy is the sum of potential and kinetic energy. Total energy available for motion without external work.

Flashcard 9: What happens to potential energy if the spring constant doubles?

Answer: Potential energy doubles. PE is directly proportional to $k$ in $PE_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$.

Flashcard 10: Calculate potential energy lost if a 10 kg object falls 5 m.

Answer: Potential energy lost is $490 \, \text{J}$. Using $\Delta PE = mgh = (10)(9.8)(5) = 490$ J decrease.

Flashcard 11: What does $h$ represent in the formula $PE = mgh$?

Answer: $h$ represents height above the reference point in meters. Vertical distance from the chosen zero PE reference level.

Flashcard 12: What is the effect of doubling the mass on gravitational potential energy?

Answer: Gravitational potential energy doubles. PE is directly proportional to mass in $PE = mgh$.

Flashcard 13: Find the potential energy of a spring with $k=150 \, \text{N/m}$ and $x=0.05 \, \text{m}$.

Answer: Potential energy is $0.1875 \, \text{J}$. Using $PE_s = \frac{1}{2}(150)(0.05)^2 = 0.1875$ J.

Flashcard 14: Define potential energy.

Answer: Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or condition. PE depends on position in a force field, not motion.

Flashcard 15: Calculate the potential energy of a 5 kg object at 10 m height.

Answer: Potential energy is $490 \, \text{J}$. Using $PE = mgh = (5)(9.8)(10) = 490$ J.

Flashcard 16: Does potential energy depend on the path taken?

Answer: No, potential energy depends only on position or condition. PE is a state function depending only on configuration.

Flashcard 17: What does $m$ represent in the formula $PE = mgh$?

Answer: $m$ represents mass in kilograms. Mass determines how much gravitational PE the object can have.

Flashcard 18: Is potential energy a form of mechanical energy?

Answer: Yes, it is a form of mechanical energy. PE is one of two types of mechanical energy.

Flashcard 19: State the potential energy formula for a spring.

Answer: $PE_s = \frac{1}{2} k x^2$. Spring PE depends quadratically on displacement from equilibrium.

Flashcard 20: How does potential energy change when an object moves up in a gravitational field?

Answer: Potential energy increases. Moving against gravity increases gravitational PE.

Flashcard 21: What does $g$ represent in the formula $PE = mgh$?

Answer: $g$ represents the acceleration due to gravity, $9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2$. Standard gravitational acceleration on Earth's surface.

Flashcard 22: Identify if potential energy is a scalar or vector quantity.

Answer: Potential energy is a scalar quantity. PE has magnitude only, no direction like vectors.

Flashcard 23: What type of potential energy is involved in a pendulum's motion?

Answer: Gravitational potential energy. Height changes as the pendulum swings back and forth.

Flashcard 24: If a bungee cord stretches, what type of potential energy is stored?

Answer: Elastic potential energy. Bungee cords stretch like springs under load.

Flashcard 25: Find the potential energy of a 2 kg mass at 15 m height.

Answer: Potential energy is $294 \, \text{J}$. Using $PE = mgh = (2)(9.8)(15) = 294$ J.

Flashcard 26: Which type of energy transformation occurs when a book falls off a shelf?

Answer: Potential energy to kinetic energy. Gravitational PE converts to motion energy during fall.

Flashcard 27: Calculate the potential energy of a spring with $k=200 \, \text{N/m}$ and $x=0.1 \, \text{m}$.

Answer: Potential energy is $1 \, \text{J}$. Using $PE_s = \frac{1}{2}(200)(0.1)^2 = 1$ J.

Flashcard 28: What is the relationship between potential energy and work done?

Answer: Work done on an object results in a change in potential energy. Work transfers energy, changing the object's PE.

Flashcard 29: What is the reference point in the context of gravitational potential energy?

Answer: A point where potential energy is defined to be zero. Arbitrary level chosen for convenient PE calculations.

Flashcard 30: How does potential energy change when an object moves down in a gravitational field?

Answer: Potential energy decreases. Moving with gravity decreases gravitational PE.