Two Categories of Energy

All energy falls into two categories:

• Potential energy – energy at rest
  • Potential energy is stored energy.
    • Example:  a roller coaster at the top of a steep slope.
      • The higher the slope, the more potential energy is stored.
• Kinetic energy – energy in motion
  • Kinetic energy is the motion of waves, atoms, matter, and objects.
    • Example:  the roller coaster moving downward.
      • The faster the car moves, the more kinetic energy is produced.