Potential energy

Potential Energy

Potential energy (pronunciation: /pəˈten(t)SHəl ˈenərjē/) is the energy that an object has due to its position in a force field or that a system has due to the configuration of its parts.

Etymology

The term "potential energy" was introduced by the 19th-century Scottish engineer and physicist William Rankine. The term "potential" comes from the Latin potentia, meaning "power".

Types of Potential Energy

There are several types of potential energy, including:

• Gravitational potential energy: This is the energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. The higher the object is in the field, the greater its gravitational potential energy.

• Elastic potential energy: This is the energy stored in an object when there is a deformation of the object, like in a spring or rubber band. The energy is stored until the deformation is eliminated and the object returns to its original shape.

• Chemical potential energy: This is the energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. It is released in a chemical reaction, often producing heat as a by-product (exothermic reaction).

• Electric potential energy: This is the energy that a charged particle has due to its position in an electric field.

• Nuclear potential energy: This is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. It is released during nuclear reactions.

Related Terms

• Kinetic energy: The energy that an object possesses due to its motion.

• Mechanical energy: The sum of potential energy and kinetic energy. It is the energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

• Conservation of energy: A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be altered from one form to another.

• Work (physics): In physics, work is the energy transferred to or from an object via the application of force along a displacement.

• Energy transformation: The process of changing energy from one form to another.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Potential energy
• Wikipedia's article - Potential energy

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