Potential Energy Comparison Chart
About This Chart
This interactive bar chart compares gravitational and elastic potential energy values across five different scenarios, helping students understand the relative magnitudes and the parameters that affect each type of potential energy.
Key Equations
Gravitational Potential Energy: \(\(PE_g = mgh\)\)
Elastic Potential Energy: \(\(PE_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2\)\)
Scenarios Compared
| Scenario | Gravitational PE | Elastic PE |
|---|---|---|
| Small object, low height | 20 J (1 kg × 2 m) | 25 J (k=100, x=0.7m) |
| Medium object, medium height | 98 J (5 kg × 2 m) | 100 J (k=200, x=1.0m) |
| Large object, low height | 196 J (20 kg × 1 m) | 200 J (k=400, x=1.0m) |
| Small object, high height | 294 J (3 kg × 10 m) | 288 J (k=800, x=0.85m) |
| Large object, high height | 490 J (5 kg × 10 m) | 450 J (k=1000, x=0.95m) |
Interactive Features
- Hover over any bar to see:
- The exact energy value
- The parameters used (mass, height, spring constant, displacement)
- The complete calculation
Learning Objectives
- Compare gravitational and elastic potential energy values
- Understand how different parameters (mass, height, spring constant, displacement) affect PE
- Recognize that PE is proportional to height (gravitational) and displacement squared (elastic)
- Apply PE equations to real-world scenarios