Swinging a golf club demonstrates both potential and kinetic energy.
Few golfers realize the game of golf provides a good physics lesson. However, every time a golfer swings his club, he's demonstrating both potential and kinetic energy .
Potential Energy
Potential energy occurs when the golfer's arms are extended in the backswing.
Potential energy is stored energy. When a golfer extends his arms behind him for the backswing, he is creating potential energy. This potential energy is the energy in the club before the forward swing.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is shown as the club is swung forward.
Kinetic energy is best described as energy of motion. As a golfer swings his club forward toward the ball, he is demonstrating kinetic energy.
Complete Swing
As a golfer performs a complete golf swing, he is demonstrating kinetic energy as he pulls the club behind him in the backswing. At the farthest backward point, the kinetic energy becomes potential energy. That potential energy is changed back to kinetic energy as the club is brought forward. The kinetic energy of the forward swing is then transferred to the ball at the moment of impact.
