Potential energy is defined as the energy possessed by an object on account of its position.
Potential energy
Potential energy, stored energy that depends upon the relative position of various parts of a system. It is called potential because it can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy. Potential energy is usually defined in equations by the capital letter U or sometimes by PE.
The formula for potential energy depends on the force acting on the two objects.
PE = mgh
Where,
- m is the mass in kilograms
- g is the acceleration due to gravity
- h is the height in meters
Types of potential energy
- Gravitational Potential Energy: The gravitational potential energy of an object is defined as the energy possessed by an object that rises to a certain height against gravity.
- Elastic Potential Energy: Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in objects that can be compressed or stretched
