Meaning & use
potential energy
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablephysics
Energy that an object stores because of its position, height, or condition, ready to be released as motion or heat.
Grammar: Used as a mass noun: you say 'potential energy', not 'a potential energy' or 'potential energies'.
Patterns
- potential energy of something
- convert potential energy into kinetic energy
- gain/lose potential energy
A ball held above the ground has potential energy because of its height.
When the roller coaster reaches the top of the hill, it has maximum potential energy.
The stretched spring stores potential energy that can be released when you let go.
noununcountablefigurative
A stored capacity for something to happen or develop, especially in a person, group, or situation.
Grammar: Used figuratively in general writing; the definite article 'the' is common before it.
Patterns
- the potential energy of something
- unlock the potential energy of something
The young team has a lot of potential energy waiting to be turned into results.
There is potential energy in the community that a good leader could bring out.
Common combinations
- gravitational potential energy
- Gravitational potential energy depends on the mass and height of the object.
- elastic potential energy
- A drawn bow stores elastic potential energy.
- convert into kinetic energy
- As the water falls, its potential energy converts into kinetic energy.
- store potential energy
- Batteries store potential energy in chemical form.
- maximum potential energy
- At the highest point, the pendulum has maximum potential energy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stored energy
- A general term that is easier for non-specialists; 'potential energy' is the precise physics term.
- latent energy
- Rare and usually refers to hidden energy in a system, not the standard physics quantity.
Opposites
Word family
- potential adjective
- Having the capacity to develop or happen in the future.
- potentiality noun
- A possible future ability or quality.
Commonly confused: potential energy or kinetic energy? potential energy or power?
potential energy vs kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy due to position or condition.
potential energy vs power
Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or used, not the stored energy itself.
Practice
A book sitting on a high shelf has _____ because of its position.
Choose one answer.
Potential energy is stored energy due to position or height; kinetic energy is energy of motion, so it does not fit a stationary book.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “potential energy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.