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Physics vocabulary · Energy, Work and Momentum

Potential energy

Meaning in physics, with examples

/pəˈtenʃəl ˈenərdʒi/nounCore term

In physics, potential energy means: Energy stored in an object because of its position or condition, for example a raised book or a stretched spring. Near the Earth's surface, gravitational potential energy equals mgh.

In Turkish: potansiyel enerji, konum enerjisi

How it is used

Usually named by type: gravitational potential energy (GPE), elastic potential energy in springs and electric potential energy. Only changes in potential energy matter, so you choose a zero level: 'take the ground as zero'.

Example sentences

  1. The roller coaster has its maximum potential energy at the top of the first hill.

  2. Stretching a 200 N/m spring by 5 cm stores 0.25 J of elastic potential energy.

Common collocations

  • gravitational potential energy
  • elastic potential energy
  • store potential energy
  • change in potential energy
  • kinetic energyThe energy an object has because it is moving. It depends on mass and speed and equals one half times mass times speed squared (½mv²).
  • energyThe ability of a system to do work or cause change. It comes in many forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal and chemical, and it is measured in joules (J).
  • conservation of energyThe principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between objects or converted from one form to another. The total energy of an isolated system stays constant.
  • gravityThe attractive force that every mass exerts on every other mass. On Earth it pulls objects towards the centre of the planet and gives them weight.
  • workThe energy transferred when a force moves an object through a distance in the direction of the force. It equals force times displacement and is measured in joules (J).

More terms: Energy, Work and Momentum

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