It is a scalar quantity with an SI unit of joule (J).
We’ll come across other units of energy in the Leaving Cert. course. The kilowatt-hour (kW h) is a convenient unit of electrical energy and the electronvolt (eV) is used to describe energy at an atomic scale. The Calorie is not used in any calculations on the Leaving Cert. course, but it is still a unit of energy in common usage. On the packaging of many foods the energy content is given in Calories. One Calorie is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1 Celsius.
Forms of Energy Kinetic energy (Ek)
KINETIC ENERGY Kinetic energy is the energy a body has due to its motion.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5B What is the kinetic energy of a Porsche 911, mass 1 585 kg, travelling at 252 km h1?
Porsche 9.11
SAMPLE ANSWER 5B
Using the formula for kinetic energy, making sure all values are in their standard unit: 252 km h1 70 m s1
Ek 1 2 mv2 1
Kinetic energy is 3.9 MJ. Potential energy Ep
POTENTIAL ENERGY Potential energy is the energy a body has due to its position or condition.