Potential energy is the ability of performing work or an activity possessed by a person or object by virtue of its position. When the body begins to move, it possesses another kind of energy known as kinetic energy. While potential energy is the energy possessed by a body in the state of rest, kinetic energy is the energy possessed by virtue of motion. Both the average kinetic energy and the average potential energy are measured by the temperature of the body.
The kinetic energy of the body also depends on many other factors. Factors like the velocity and the mass of the body are vital in measuring the kinetic energy of the body. As the temperature of the body increases, the atoms and the molecules of the body come into motion. Therefore, even when the body appears to be at rest, there is some kinetic energy in it. The average energy of the body is usually measured by measuring the temperature of the body.
Conversions can be made for both kinetic energy and potential energy. If the body is resting, it has potential energy, but when the energy of position is changed into energy of motion, potential energy converts into kinetic energy. As we all know, energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it can only be transformed from one kind to another. This conversion of energy usually raises the temperature of the body.
It is well known that the higher the temperature of a body, the higher is the amount of internal energy. This internal energy can be transformed into kinetic energy. This is one of the reasons why athletes are always recommended to warm up before they begin to exercise. The buildup of heat in the body during the warm up causes the body to generate internal energy which can then be converted into kinetic energy, allowing the athletes to gain more speed without expending as much energy.
Both kinetic energy and potential energy constitute mechanical energy, which is vital in order for the body to perform any activity. This energy is also required for both voluntary and involuntary activities performed by the muscles of our body. Mechanical energy is also required by the body to perform all its bodily functions. These functions are also dependent on the temperature of the body. So, there is a direct relation between body temperature, and the total energy contained in a body, which is a sum of the body’s potential and kinetic energy.
Submitted by N S on January 14, 2010 at 12:27