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Potential energy is the energy by virtue of an object's position relative to other objects. [6] Potential energy is often associated with restoring forces such as a spring or the force of gravity. The action of stretching a spring or lifting a mass is performed by an external force that works against the force field of the potential.
Gravitational energy or gravitational potential energy is the potential energy a massive object has due to its position in a gravitational field.
The gravitational potential (V) at a location is the gravitational potential energy (U) at that location per unit mass: =, where m is the mass of the object. Potential energy is equal (in magnitude, but negative) to the work done by the gravitational field moving a body to its given position in space from infinity.
Potential energy – energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors. [3] [4] Elastic energy – energy of deformation of a material (or its container) exhibiting a restorative force; Gravitational energy – potential energy associated with a gravitational field.
The electrostatic potential energy U E stored in a system of two charges is equal to the electrostatic potential energy of a charge in the electrostatic potential generated by the other. That is to say, if charge q 1 generates an electrostatic potential V 1 , which is a function of position r , then U E = q 2 V 1 ( r 2 ) . {\displaystyle U ...
Scalar potentials play a prominent role in many areas of physics and engineering. The gravity potential is the scalar potential associated with the gravity per unit mass, i.e., the acceleration due to the field, as a function of position. The gravity potential is the gravitational potential energy per unit mass.
As it rolls downhill, its potential energy decreases and is being translated to motion – kinetic energy. It is possible to define the potential of certain force fields so that the potential energy of an object in that field depends only on the position of the object with respect to the field.
The minimum total potential energy principle is a fundamental concept used in physics and engineering.It dictates that at low temperatures a structure or body shall deform or displace to a position that (locally) minimizes the total potential energy, with the lost potential energy being converted into kinetic energy (specifically heat).