potential energy

Examples of potential energy in the following topics:

• Gravity

  • Gravitational energy is the potential energy associated with gravitational force, as work is required to move objects against gravity.
  • The potential energy due to elevated positions is called gravitational potential energy, evidenced, for example, by water held in an elevated reservoir or behind a dam (as an example, shows Hoover Dam).
  • (The surface will be the zero point of the potential energy. ) We can express the potential energy (gravitational potential energy) as:
  • Hoover dam uses the stored gravitational potential energy to generate electricity.
  • Generate an equation that can be used to express the gravitational potential energy near the earth

• Potential Energy Curves and Equipotentials

  • A potential energy curve plots potential energy as a function of position; equipotential lines trace lines of equal potential energy.
  • A potential energy curve plots the potential energy of an object as a function of that object's position.
  • We observe that the potential energy increases as the kinetic energy decreases and vice versa.
  • The utility of a potential energy curve is that we can quickly determine the potential energy of the object in question at a given position.
  • Equipotential lines trace lines of equal potential energy.

• What is Potential Energy?

  • Potential energy is the energy difference between the energy of an object in a given position and its energy at a reference position.
  • This work is stored in the force field as potential energy.
  • The more formal definition is that potential energy is the energy difference between the energy of an object in a given position and its energy at a reference position.
  • For example, the work of an elastic force is called elastic potential energy ; work done by the gravitational force is called gravitational potential energy; and work done by the Coulomb force is called electric potential energy.
  • In the case of a bow and arrow, the energy is converted from the potential energy in the archer's arm to the potential energy in the bent limbs of the bow when the string is drawn back.

• Defining Graviational Potential Energy

  • Gravitational energy is the potential energy associated with gravitational force, such as elevating objects against the Earth's gravity.
  • What is the gravitational potential energy of a 1kg block on top of a 1m high table?
  • The potential energy due to elevated positions is called gravitational potential energy, and is evidenced by water in an elevated reservoir or kept behind a dam.
  • Thus, a book lying on a table has less gravitational potential energy than the same book on top of a taller cupboard, and less gravitational potential energy than a heavier book lying on the same table.
  • In most situations, the change in potential energy is the relevant quantity:

• Electric Potential Energy and Potential Difference

  • Electric potential energy results from forces between charges; potential difference is the energy needed to move a charge from point A to B.
  • Electric potential energy is a type of potential energy that results from Coulomb forces.
  • The potential energy (UE) between charges q and Q can be calculated as a function of distance between the charges (r):
  • Potential difference , or voltage, is the difference in electric potential energy between two points.
  • A brief overview of electric potential difference and electric potential energy for beginning physics students.

• Energy Conservation

  • In all cases, a charge will naturally move from an area of higher potential energy to an area of lower potential energy.
  • At the instant at which the field is applied, the motionless test charge has 0 kinetic energy, and its electric potential energy is at a maximum.
  • After that moment, the charge accelerates, and its kinetic energy (from motion) increases as its potential energy decreases.
  • Throughout this time, the sum of potential and kinetic energies remains constant.
  • In both instances, the particle in motion goes from a higher to a lower potential energy state.

• Elastic Potential Energy

  • If a force results in only deformation, with no thermal, sound, or kinetic energy, the work done is stored as elastic potential energy.
  • A mouse trap stores elastic potential energy by twisting a piece of metal; this energy is released when the mouse steps into it.
  • If the only result is deformation and no work goes into thermal, sound, or kinetic energy, then all the work is initially stored in the deformed object as some form of potential energy.
  • Elastic energy is the potential mechanical energy stored in the configuration of a material or physical system when work is performed to distort its volume or shape.
  • For example, the potential energy PEel stored in a spring is

• Problem Solving With the Conservation of Energy

  • When they start rising, the kinetic energy begins to be converted to gravitational potential energy ($PE_g$).
  • If you know the potential energies ($PE$) for the forces that enter into the problem, then forces are all conservative, and you can apply conservation of mechanical energy simply in terms of potential and kinetic energy.
  • If you know the potential energy for only some of the forces, then the conservation of energy law in its most general form must be used:
  • When they start rising, the kinetic energy begins to be converted to gravitational potential energy.
  • The sum of kinetic and potential energy in the system remains constant, ignoring losses to friction.

• Internal Energy

  • The internal energy of a system is the sum of all kinetic and potential energy in a system.
  • Internal energy has two components: kinetic energy and potential energy.
  • The potential energy is associated with the static constituents of matter, static electric energy of atoms within molecules or crystals, and the energy from chemical bonds.
  • Nuclear fusion in the sun converts nuclear potential energy into available internal energy and keeps the temperature of the Sun very high.
  • Express the internal energy in terms of kinetic and potential energy

• Other Forms of Energy

  • Electric Energy: This is energy that is from electrical potential energy, a result of Coulombic forces.
  • Electrical potential energy is associated with the way that point charges in a system are arranged.
  • It is the sum of all of the kinetic and potential energy that the object has.
  • In each of the aforementioned forms, energy exists as either kinetic energy, potential energy, or a combination of both.
  • A brief overview of energy, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and the work-energy theorem for algebra-based physics students.