Question

What do you understand by potential energy? Explain with two examples.

Answer 1

The energy which a body possesses due to its position or due to a change in shape is called potential energy.

Examples:

1. A brick that is suspended above the ground has energy because it would do work by falling to the ground. Its energy is due to its position and therefore it is potential energy.
2. The potential energy of a stretched bow string results from a change in its shape.