Potential Energy

 

 

Potential Energy

 

Potential energy is energy stored due to a body's position.

 

Potential energy (V) is ...

• energy due toa particle’s position.
• the amount of work a conservative force does to move a particle to a new position.
• stored energy.

 

Conservative forces include ...

• gravity forces.
• spring forces.

 

Gravitational potential energy

 

 

Gravitational potential energy (V_g) is the energy a body possesses by virtue of its position in a gravitational field. The work done by the weight force is path independent.

 

Relative gravitational potential energy: V_g = mgh

• You are free to choose where the potential energy is defined to be zero.

 

 

Absolute gravitational potential energy: V_g = -mg_eR_e²/r

• The potential energy is considered zero when the body is infinitely far from the earth.
• R_e = radius of the earth
• r = distance of the body from the center of the earth
• g_e = acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the earth