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Home > News & Articles > Potential Energy (U): Definition, Formula, Types, Examples, Application and Solved Examples
Updated on 04th September, 2023 , 5 min read
In the fascinating world of physics, energy plays a pivotal role in explaining the behavior of objects and systems. One essential type of energy is potential energy, which represents the stored energy within an object due to its position or state. Energy is the ability of any object to perform a specific activity. It refers to anything that we cannot create or destroy, but only modify. When a thing does work, it loses energy. When work is done on it, it gains energy. We divide energy into two types: kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy contained in an object as a result of its motion. Potential energy, on the other hand, is energy that has been stored due to its state of rest. It's easy to get mixed up between these two, so let's look at what potential energy means.
In this article, we will delve deep into the concept of potential energy, exploring its various forms, mathematical expressions, and real-world applications.
Potential energy, expressed as U is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the energy an object possesses due to its position or condition, and it is typically associated with the potential to do work. It is a crucial component of the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only change from one form to another.
Potential energy can exist in various forms, and it is directly related to the forces acting on an object and the object's position or state.
The formula for potential energy depends on the force acting on the two objects. For the gravitational force, the formula is:
W = m×g×h = mgh |
Where,
There are several types of potential energy, each arising from different physical phenomena. The most common forms of potential energy include:
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is associated with an object's position in a gravitational field, such as the Earth's gravitational field. It depends on the height (or distance) of the object above a reference point. The formula for calculating gravitational potential energy is:
GPE= m*g*h
Where:
Elastic potential energy is associated with objects that can be compressed or stretched, such as a spring or a rubber band. The amount of elastic potential energy stored in the object depends on how much it is deformed from its equilibrium position. The formula for elastic potential energy is:
Elastic PE = 
k 
Where:
Chemical potential energy is stored within chemical bonds and is released during chemical reactions. This type of potential energy is responsible for powering various processes in biological organisms and fueling combustion reactions. Examples include the energy stored in batteries, gasoline, and food.
Electric potential energy is related to the position of charged particles within an electric field. It plays a fundamental role in understanding the behavior of electric charges and their interactions. The formula for electric potential energy between two point charges is:
Where:
Electric PE = 
Where:
It's essential to understand that potential energy can be thought of as a negative constraint on an object. In other words, it limits what the object can do until it changes its position or state. When the constraint is released, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy or other forms of energy.
Before delving into potential energy types and examples, let's briefly explore some related topics within the field of work, energy, and power:
Potential energy is a fundamental concept with numerous practical applications across various fields. Some notable examples include:
Potential energy is a fundamental concept that can be observed in various everyday situations. Here are a few examples:
Solution:
Here, the mass of the object (m) = 1 kg,
Displacement (height) (h) = 10 m,
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m s–2.
Hence, Potential energy (P) = m×g×h = 1 kg × 9.8 m s–2 × 10 m = 98 J.
Solution: (c) At height h the K.E of the object is 0 while P.E is mgh. At height h/2 the P.E becomes mgh/2 while the other half of P.E is converted into K.E due to the virtue of its motion. So mgh – mgh/2 = mgh/2. Hence, the body has half its energy in the form of potential energy and the other half is in the form of kinetic energy
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