Energy Calculator
Calculate different forms of energy including rest energy and kinetic energy
Energy Result
E = mc²
Energy Formulas
Rest Energy: E = mc² (Energy = mass × speed of light²)
Kinetic Energy: E = ½mv² (Energy = ½ × mass × velocity²)
Gravitational Potential Energy: E = mgh (Energy = mass × gravity × height)
Elastic Potential Energy: E = ½kx² (Energy = ½ × spring constant × displacement²)
Electric Potential Energy: E = qV (Energy = charge × voltage)
About Energy in Physics
Energy is a fundamental concept in physics that represents the capacity to do work or produce heat. It exists in many forms and can be transferred from one form to another, but the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant according to the law of conservation of energy.
Types of Energy
There are many forms of energy, including:
- Kinetic Energy: The energy of motion, calculated as E = ½mv².
- Potential Energy: Stored energy due to position or configuration, such as gravitational potential energy (E = mgh).
- Thermal Energy: The internal energy of a system due to the motion of its particles.
- Chemical Energy: Energy stored in the bonds of molecules.
- Electrical Energy: Energy from electric charges or fields.
- Nuclear Energy: Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
- Rest Energy: The energy equivalent of mass, given by Einstein's famous equation E = mc².
Energy Conversion
Energy can be converted from one form to another. For example, in a hydroelectric dam, gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as water falls, which is then converted to electrical energy by turbines and generators. Understanding these conversions is crucial for designing efficient energy systems.
Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence
Albert Einstein's famous equation E = mc² demonstrates that mass and energy are equivalent and interchangeable. This principle is the foundation of nuclear energy, where small amounts of mass are converted into large amounts of energy in processes like nuclear fission and fusion.