Potential energy changes to kinetic energy in different situations. This usually happens with three types of energy: gravitational, elastic, and chemical potential energy. Let’s look at some examples:

1. Gravitational Potential Energy:

   • Imagine holding an object high up, like a ball. The potential energy it has because of its height is called gravitational potential energy. You can figure this energy out using the formula: $PE_g = mgh$ Here, $m$ is the mass (how heavy the object is), $g$ is the pull of gravity (which is about $9.81 \, m/s^2$), and $h$ is how high the object is (in meters).
   • When you let go of the object, that potential energy turns into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. We can calculate kinetic energy like this: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ As the ball falls, its speed ($v$) goes up, showing how energy changes from one type to another.

2. Elastic Potential Energy:

   • Think about a spring that you push down. The energy stored in that compressed spring is called elastic potential energy. We can calculate it with this formula: $PE_e = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$ In this case, $k$ is the spring constant (how stiff the spring is), and $x$ is how much you compressed it.
   • When you release the spring, this stored energy turns into kinetic energy, pushing anything attached to it forward.

3. Chemical Potential Energy:

   • In some chemical reactions, energy stored in the bonds of molecules (called chemical potential energy) can change into kinetic energy. For example, in a reaction that gives off heat, the energy released makes molecules move faster. This increased movement is kinetic energy.

In all these examples, there is a rule called the law of conservation of energy. This rule says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It only changes from one form to another.