Work and Potential Energy

All the activities one does require energy, provided by the stored energy. The day to day activities, as well as all-natural and artificial activities, require energy for the work. Work and potential energy are connected as energy is necessary for performing all the work or tasks. The work is done when applied force leads to the object’s displacement. The work and potential energy importance is observed in all sorts of activities. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object about the motion or position of the object. The topic includes the work and potential energy meaning and how each of the terms is interrelated.

Work and Relation with Constant Force

The work is defined as the transfer of energy in an object when moved over a certain distance under an external force. Hence work done by the constant force is shown by the following formulae:

Work done = force(F) x displacement(s), where F represents the constant force applied on an object leading to its displacement over a certain distance represented by s.

• The overall work done is represented as a scalar quantity. 
• The SI unit of work is Joule (J).
• The work done is positive when the force is applied, and the displacement is in the same direction. 
• The work done is negative when the force is applied, and displacement is in the opposite direction. 
• However, if the force or displacement of the object is zero, the work done is said to be zero.

Relation Between Work and Potential Energy

The work and potential energy meaning and their correlation are important concepts in physics. 

• The energy within an object is transferred from one form to another. 
• Hence, this energy transfer to move an object is known as the work done.
• As potential energy is a form of energy in which an object possesses energy concerning the position or motion of the object, work and potential energy have a direct relationship. 

Hence, the work and energy are directly proportional to each other. The overall work done by an object is represented by the mathematical formulae of

W = ½ mv2f – ½ mv2i

Where, 

w represents the work done by the object

m represents the mass of the object

vi represents the initial velocity of an object 

vf represents the final velocity of an object 

Principle of Work and Potential Energy

According to the work and potential energy principle, the change in the kinetic energy in an object or body is equivalent to the net work done on the body. The principle is derived from the law of conservation of energy. 

• According to the law of conservation of energy, the energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another. 
• It is a universal law that is valid for all types of transformation. 
• When the total energy of an object is kinetic and potential, the sum of a body’s kinetic and potential energy will remain constant when in motion. 

Types of Potential Energy 

There are majorly four types of potential energy. Here are the various types:

• Gravitational Potential Energy – The energy is associated with gravitational force and is 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 contained in the system or object. The energy is reversible, and 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 distorted. Some examples include stretching a spring, an archer’s stretched bow, etc.
• Chemical Potential Energy – The 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 – The electrostatic 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.

Irrespective of the type of energy, the relation between work and potential energy is that work is done for any object or body to possess and transform energy. Hence, for the work of displacement or movement, energy is necessary. Therefore, this helps understand work and potential energy importance, and it is proportional to each other. 

Summary 

Work and potential energy break down work, energy, and motion concepts. The work and potential energy are directly proportional because it requires energy for any work to be done. Hence, work is done when the applied force on an object leads to displacement of an object. The object which shows the capability of doing work consists of energy. The potential energy is the overall energy possessed by an object based on its position or movement. The principle connecting work and potential energy is derived from the law of conservation of energy which states energy is only converted from one form to another but cannot be destroyed nor created.