Kinetic & Potential Energy Simulator

Drop an object and watch its Potential Energy convert flawlessly into Kinetic Energy.

Max Height: 100m
P.E.
0 J
K.E.
0 J
Current Velocity
0.0m/s
Current Height
50.0m
Total Mechanical Energy
4905Joules

The Conservation of Energy

One of the most fundamental laws of physics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In a perfect mechanical system (ignoring air resistance), Total Energy always stays exactly the same.

  • Potential Energy (PE): Stored energy based on height. Formula: PE = mass × gravity × height. As the object falls, height decreases, so PE decreases.
  • Kinetic Energy (KE): The energy of motion. Formula: KE = ½ × mass × velocity². As the object falls, it speeds up, so KE increases.

Notice in the simulation above that as the blue PE bar goes down, the green KE bar goes up by the exact same amount. The Total Energy never changes!