Potential Energy
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Potential Energy
The energy an object inherently contains by being in a certain state. Typically, this is due to an object being above a certain point, or a spring being displaced from its resting position.
- Related Glossary Terms
Energy, Force of Gravity Equation, Gravitational Potential Energy Equation, Kinetic Energy↗, Spring Potential Energy Equation
- Index
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Potential energy
Potential energy describes energy associated with the configuration of interacting parts of a system. Its numerical zero is a chosen reference, while differences in potential energy determine physical energy changes. For example, separating Earth and a ball changes their gravitational potential energy even though the energy belongs to their interaction.
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Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is energy associated with motion relative to a chosen reference frame. For a nonrelativistic translating object it is one half of its mass times speed squared. For example, doubling a cart’s speed quadruples its translational kinetic energy when its mass stays fixed.