Potentialenergin

Potentialenergin, or potential energy, is a form of mechanical energy tied to the configuration of a system and the positions of its parts within a conservative force field. It represents energy that can be converted into kinetic energy as the system moves toward lower energy states. The numerical value depends on the chosen reference point where zero energy is set.

Common forms include gravitational potential energy U = m g h near Earth's surface, elastic potential energy U = 1/2 k x^2 for springs, and electric potential energy U = k q1 q2 / r for point charges. Chemical potential energy stores energy in molecular bonds and can be released during chemical reactions.

Conservative work relates to potential energy by W_cons = -ΔU. In an isolated system, the total mechanical energy E = K + U remains constant, so increases in kinetic energy correspond to decreases in potential energy. Potential energy depends on the chosen reference and can be altered by changing the configuration or external constraints.

Units are joules (J). The symbol U is commonly used for potential energy; in some contexts, especially electromagnetism, U = qV relates to the electric potential V. Potential energy is not a fixed property of a single object but a property of the system's configuration.

Applications include energy storage in springs and capacitors, gravitational energy in lifting objects, chemical energy in fuels and batteries, and the analysis of orbital and molecular energy landscapes. In non-conservative systems, such as those with friction, mechanical energy is not preserved, though potential energy can still be defined relative to a chosen reference.