Potential energy
Energy stored in an object's position or configuration.
Potential energy is the energy of an object or system due to its position relative to other objects or the configuration of its particles. It is equal to the work done against restoring forces such as gravity or those in a spring. The term was introduced by the 19th-century Scottish engineer and physicist William Rankine, with links to Aristotle's concept of potentiality.
- field
- Physics
- unit
- Joule (J)
- types
- Gravitational, elastic, electric, nuclear, intermolecular, chemical
- key_relation
- W = -ΔU
- associated_forces
- Conservative forces
Lore & Background
Potential energy is associated with conservative forces, where the total work done depends only on initial and final positions, not the path taken. Common types include gravitational potential energy (e.g., mgh for a falling ball), elastic potential energy of a deformed spring, and electric potential energy of a charge in an electric field. The unit for energy in the International System of Units is the joule.
Reader's Guide
The concept of potential energy is fundamental to understanding conservative systems. Work done by a conservative force equals the negative change in potential energy (W = -ΔU). This relationship allows forces to be derived from a scalar potential function via the gradient. Potential energy is stored in force fields when external work is done against them, such as lifting a mass or stretching a spring. When the external force is removed, the field performs work, reducing potential energy. Potential energy remains a core concept in mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.
Did You Know?
- Potential energy is equal to the work done against restoring forces like gravity or a spring.
- The unit for potential energy in the SI system is the joule.
- For a ball of mass m dropped from height h, gravitational potential energy is U_g = mgh.
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