Science Common Sense

1051 - What is the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy?

Imagine you're rolling a ball down a hill.

• 'Potential energy' is the energy the ball has at the top of the hill, before it starts rolling. It's like stored energy, waiting to be used.

• 'Kinetic energy' is the energy the ball has as it rolls down the hill. It's the energy of movement, showing that the ball is actually doing something – moving.