energy, work & momentum

Work done and energy transferred are measured in joules (J). The work done on an object can be calculated if the force and distance moved are known.

• Objects raised against the force of gravity contain gravitational potential energy.
• Elastic objects gain elastic potential energy when they are stretched or squashed.
• Moving objects have kinetic energy. The more mass they contain and the faster they move, the more kinetic energy they contain.

A change in momentum happens when a force is applied to an object that is moving or is able to move. The total momentum in a collision or explosion stays the same.

Momentum
Conservation of momentum
Work
Potential energy & kinetic energy
Kinetic energy formula
Test on Energy, momentum & work

[ This page has been adapted from www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science ]