Kinetic vs Potential Energy Worksheet
KINETIC VS POTENTIAL ENERGY
Quiz Warm-Up & Vocabulary Practice
Name:
Date:
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Goal: Master the key terms and energy rules before taking today's quiz!
Prep Activity
1
Vocabulary Match
(Write the correct letter in each blank)
1. Kinetic Energy
2. Potential Energy
3. Mass
4. Height / Position
A. Stored energy an object has due to its position or height.
B. The energy an object has because it is in motion.
C. How far above the ground an object is placed.
D. The amount of matter in an object (heavier objects have more).
2
The Golden Rules of Energy
(Circle the correct word in each box)
KINETIC ENERGY (Motion)
Moving
Object goes FASTER: [ MORE / LESS ] KE
Object has MORE MASS: [ MORE / LESS ] KE
POTENTIAL ENERGY (Stored)
Position
Object is HIGHER UP: [ MORE / LESS ] PE
Sitting STILL at rest: [ ONLY PE / ONLY KE ]
3
Rapid Energy Sort
(Check the primary energy type)
Glass on table
Sitting completely still
[ ] PE [ ] KE
Ball rolling on floor
Rolling along carpet
[ ] PE [ ] KE
Book on top shelf
Resting 6 ft high
[ ] PE [ ] KE
Motorcycle cruising
Moving at 45 mph
[ ] PE [ ] KE
4
Quiz Showdown Prep
(Test yourself before the real quiz)
Q1. Increasing Kinetic Energy
How could you increase the kinetic energy of a motorcycle?
Make it go faster
Make it go slower
Q2. Books on Shelves
Three identical books sit on a bookshelf at different heights:
Shelf A: Top (6 ft) Shelf B: Mid (4 ft) Shelf C: Low (1 ft)
Most Potential Energy: [ Book A | Book B | Book C ]
Q3. Mass & Kinetic Energy
A semi-truck and a small sports car travel at the same speed (55 mph). Which has more kinetic energy?
The heavy semi-truck
The light sports car
Q4. Highest Point on a Hill
A ball rolls down a hill from Point 1 (peak) down to Point 3 (bottom). At which point does it have the most potential energy?
Point 1 (at the very top peak)
Point 3 (at the bottom)
Memory Trick: Kinetic = Motion / Speed! • Potential = Position / Height!
Ready for quiz:
Kinetic vs Potential Energy Answer Key
KINETIC VS POTENTIAL ENERGY
Answer Key
Teacher Review & Quiz Prep Guide
Physical Science • Grades 6–8
Pacing: 5–8 Minute Warm-Up
Use this guide to review answers with students right before they take Section 2 of the quiz.
100% Quiz Aligned
1
Vocabulary Match (Answers & Rationale)
1. Kinetic Energy B
2. Potential Energy A
3. Mass D
4. Height / Position C
A. Stored energy an object has due to its position or height.
B. The energy an object has because it is in motion.
C. How far above the ground an object is placed.
D. The amount of matter in an object (heavier objects have more).
2
The Golden Rules (Correct Choices)
KINETIC ENERGY (Motion)
Moving
Object goes FASTER: [ MORE ] KE
Object has MORE MASS: [ MORE ] KE
POTENTIAL ENERGY (Stored)
Position
Object is HIGHER UP: [ MORE ] PE
Sitting STILL at rest: [ ONLY PE ]
3
Rapid Energy Sort (Answers)
Glass on table
Sitting completely still
[ ✓ ] PE [ ] KE
Ball rolling on floor
Rolling along carpet
[ ] PE [ ✓ ] KE
Book on top shelf
Resting 6 ft high
[ ✓ ] PE [ ] KE
Motorcycle cruising
Moving at 45 mph
[ ] PE [ ✓ ] KE
4
Quiz Showdown Prep (Key & Explanations)
Q1. Increasing Kinetic Energy Quiz Q1 Match
How could you increase the kinetic energy of a motorcycle?
Make it go faster
Reason: Faster speed means greater kinetic energy of motion.
Q2. Books on Shelves Quiz Q2 Match
Which book on the shelves has the most potential energy?
Book A (Top shelf / highest position)
Reason: Gravitational potential energy increases directly with height.
Q3. Mass & Kinetic Energy Quiz Q6 Match
Semi-truck and sports car at the same speed (55 mph):
The heavy semi-truck
Reason: At equal speeds, the object with more mass has more KE.
Q4. Highest Point on a Hill Quiz Q3/Q5 Match
