When two 1-pound, 2-inch diameter, chrome steel spheres are smashed together, enough heat is generated at the point of contact to burn a hole in a piece of ordinary paper! Available from Educational Innovations, Inc. at http://www.teachersource.com
Kinetic energy is "stored" energy. It's the amount of energy it took to move an object from rest to motion. That energy is then "stored" in the object until it is acted upon, because energy can not be destroyed, only converted. In this case, the kinetic energy of the spheres is converted to heat energy when they are rapidly decelerated, that is, brought to a stop by smashing together.
Kinetic energy is "stored" energy. It's the amount of energy it took to move an object from rest to motion. That energy is then "stored" in the object until it is acted upon, because energy can not be destroyed, only converted. In this case, the kinetic energy of the spheres is converted to heat energy when they are rapidly decelerated, that is, brought to a stop by smashing together.
EducateInnovate 10 months ago