Definition What Is Potential Energy

The energy stored between the plates of a charged capacitor is electrical potential energy.

Definition what is potential energy. Potential energy is measured in joules and can be determined by using the equation pe mgh. Potential energy is the energy that is stored in an object due to its position relative to some zero position. What is commonly known as chemical energy the capacity of a substance to do work or to evolve heat by undergoing a change of composition may be regarded as potential energy resulting from the mutual forces among its molecules and atoms. The action of stretching a spring or lifting a mass is performed by an external force that works against the force field of the potential.

Potential energy example is water stored in a dam reservoir and potential energy formula is the product of mass and height of the object times acceleration due to gravity. That is to say potential energy is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by the gravitational force exerted and its height above the surface of the earth. Potential energy is often associated with restoring forces such as a spring or the force of gravity. Potential energy is a type of energy an object has because of its position.

Potential energy definition is the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts. Potential energy is the energy by virtue of an object s position relative to other objects. Potential energy u is defined as the energy stored in an object subjected to a conservative force. Common types include the gravitational potential energy the elastic potential energy of an extended spring and the electric potential energy of an electric charge in an electric field and so on.

The actual potential energy of an object depends on its position relative to other objects. Potential energy is essentially what it sounds like though there are a few intricacies involved. Potential energy also includes other forms. The process of potential energy being released can be seen when dropping an object.