Thursday, May 13, 2010

potential energy

Potential energy is stored energy due to a body's position or condition.
This video demonstrates gravitational potential energy. Enjoy! :)

Gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has because of its position or location. The higher the object is from the ground, the more gravitational potential energy it has, thus, it has more potential to fall
Example: a chandelier hung on the ceiling possess gravitational potential energy

Chemical potential energy
Chemical potential energy is the energy stored in fuels such as petrol and food that can be released through chemical reactions.
Example: We need to eat food to store ourselves with chemical potential energy so that it can be transformed into other types of energy as we carry out different activities like running (converted into kinetic energy)

Elastic potential energy
Elastic potential energy is the energy an object has when it is stretched or compressed.
Example: a stretched rubber band possesses elastic potential energy

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