Equilibrium and Elasticity

Elastic Potential Energy - Overview

In physics, potential energy is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors. The unit for energy in the International System of Units is the joule (J). One joule can be defined as the work required to produce one newton of force, or one newton times one metre. Potential energy is the energy of an object. It is the energy by virtue of an object's position relative to other objects. Potential energy is associated with restoring forces such as a spring or the force of gravity. The action of stretching the spring or lifting the mass is performed by a force which works against the force field of the potential. The potential energy of an object is the energy it possesses due to its position relative to other objects. It is said to be stored in the field. For example, a book lying on a table has a large amount of potential energy (it is said to be at a high potential energy) relative to the ground, which has a much lower potential energy. The book will gain potential energy if it is lifted off the table and held above the ground. The same book has less potential energy when on the ground than it did while on the table. If the book is dropped from a height, it gains kinetic energy, but loses a larger amount of potential energy, as it is now at a lower potential energy than before it was dropped.

Robert Call

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