Potential Energy

Every object stores energy, and there is a shift in energy with the change in its position or movement. The energy stored in an object regarding its position, stresses, movement or electric charge is potential energy. William Rankine first introduced the term in the 19th century. The potential energy meaning is even associated with forces that act on a body. The total work by the overall forces depends on the starting and end position of the object in space. The force which acts on the body is known as a conservative force. The potential energy examples and their applications are observed in day-to-day life activities.

Formulae of Potential Energy

The S.I unit of potential energy is Joule. Concerning gravitational potential energy, its position in the gravitational field is calculated by use of the following formulae:

E = mgh

Where

E stands for potential energy

m stands for the mass of the object

h stands for the height of the object

g stands for acceleration due to gravity; however, in respect to the elastic potential energy, the energy is associated with the state of compression or expansion of the elastic spring. 

Hence, it is calculated by using the following formulae

E = W = ½ kx2

Where W stands for work done

k stands for the spring constant

x is the stretch or compression caused in spring

Types of Potential Energy 

There are majorly four types of potential energy. 

• Gravitational potential energy – The energy is associated with gravitational force and reveals the total work associated with elevating objects against the gravity of the Earth. When an object falls from one point to another within a gravitational field, it decreases the gravitational potential energy.
• Elastic potential energy is mechanical energy present in the system or object as compressed, stretched or deformed. The energy is reversible; hence, when force is applied, elastic material compresses but recovers to its original shape due to the elastic energy. When an object stretches more, it stores more elastic energy. However, all items have a limit, and hence when deformed beyond the elastic limit, they will be deformed. Some examples include the stretching of a spring, an archer’s stretched bow, etc.
• Chemical potential energy is associated with the structural arrangement of molecules or atoms. The molecules are connected with the help of chemical bonds. The chemical reactions help in transforming chemical energy from one form to another.
• Electric potential energy is present in an object due to its electric charge. The energy is present between two bodies in space due to the exerted charge obtained from the force.

Factors to help understanding potential energy meaning 

Here are some of the factors which determine the potential energy:

• The mass of the object is one of the determining factors. When the objects have higher mass, they possess higher energy. When the objects have a lower mass, they possess low potential energy.
• Potential energy is also determined by the acceleration due to gravity at the object’s position. The object’s energy is directly proportional to the acceleration due to gravity.
• When the object is at a higher height from the ground, it possesses higher potential energy and vice versa.
• In the case of elastic energy, when the object has a higher force constant, it has higher potential energy and vice versa.   
• When a spring or object is compressed or stretched within its limit, it has higher potential energy and vice versa.

Applications and potential energy examples

Many potential energy examples are observed in one’s day to day life. Here are some of the applications:

• The roller coaster ride is an example where the rider falls from a height and converts the potential energy into kinetic energy. As the ride moves upwards, it is converted into potential energy and comes to a halt.
• Another potential energy example is the ability of a rock to balance and stand at the edge of the cliff. However, if the rock falls, it converts into kinetic energy.
• Another example is the stretching of the archer’s bow; as it is stretched, it stores energy in the form of potential energy, which helps push the arrow forward.
• When the water flows in the river, it has energy that rotates the turbine; hence, it helps with electricity production. Hence, potential energy is used and stored in the water, converted into electrical energy.

Conclusion

The potential energy meaning and understanding its concept are crucial for breaking down how energy is stored in an object regarding its position or movement. The article details the importance of the potential energy along with its importance, formulae and units. The use of the energy is observed in day-to-day life, and hence with the motion or change in the position, it even leads to the conversion of energy from one form to another. There are various forms of energy, and it is applied across the various fields of physics for a different range of activities.