Given below are two statements:

Statement I: All moving objects, by virtue of their motion, are capable of doing work.

Statement II: Potential energy is the energy of motion.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is Statement I is correct but Statement II is false.

Key Points

Statement I: All moving objects, by virtue of their motion, are capable of doing work is true because-

• Work is defined as the transfer of energy through motion, and an object in motion can perform work by transferring energy to another object or system.
• The amount of work done depends on the force exerted and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force.
• A moving object has kinetic energy, and when this energy is transferred to another object, work is done.
• For example, a moving car can do work by applying force on a rock, or a falling ball can do work on the ground by exerting force upon impact.

Statement II: Potential energy is the energy of motion is false because-

• Potential energy is not the energy of motion; it is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or configuration.
• Potential energy depends on factors such as height (gravitational potential energy) or the compression/stretching of an object (elastic potential energy).
• The energy of motion is actually called kinetic energy, not potential energy.
• For example, an object at the top of a hill has potential energy due to its position, but it is not moving until it starts to fall, converting potential energy into kinetic energy.

Additional Information

• Kinetic Energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is given by the formula K.E. = (1/2)mv², where m is the mass and v is the velocity of the object.
• Potential Energy: The stored energy of an object due to its position or condition. The most common form is gravitational potential energy, which is given by U = mgh, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height above a reference point.
• Potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy, but they represent different types of energy: potential energy is energy "stored" due to position, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion.