There are many different kinds of potential energy. We’ve already worked with gravitational potential energy, so let’s take a look at elastic potential energy.
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When the rubber band moves horizontally, it’ mostly kinetic with a little potential energy. Upon impact, the wall deforms slightly (as does the rubber band), so the energy is elastic in both with some potential energy (since it’s at a height above the ground). When it rebounds and as it falls to the floor, it’s kinetic (moving) and potential (height).
If you were to fling the rubber band across the room, and it were to smack against a wall, what kind of energy would it be when the rubber band collides with the wall and then falls to the floor? Potential, then Kinetic?
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When the rubber band moves horizontally, it’ mostly kinetic with a little potential energy. Upon impact, the wall deforms slightly (as does the rubber band), so the energy is elastic in both with some potential energy (since it’s at a height above the ground). When it rebounds and as it falls to the floor, it’s kinetic (moving) and potential (height).
If you were to fling the rubber band across the room, and it were to smack against a wall, what kind of energy would it be when the rubber band collides with the wall and then falls to the floor? Potential, then Kinetic?