Potential energy is the stored energy in an object due to its position, condition, or configuration. It’s energy that has the potential to do work in the future but isn’t actively being used at the moment.

Types of Potential Energy:

1. Gravitational Potential Energy: Energy stored in an object due to its height above the ground. For example, a book held up in the air has gravitational potential energy because of its position relative to the Earth.

   
   

2. Elastic Potential Energy: Energy stored in stretched or compressed objects, like a stretched rubber band or a compressed spring.

   
   

3. Chemical Potential Energy: Energy stored in chemical bonds, such as in batteries or food. When the bonds break, the energy is released and can be used for work.

Formula for Gravitational Potential Energy:

PE=m×g×h

where:

• m = mass of the object

  
  

• g = gravitational acceleration (on Earth, about 9.8 m/s²)

• h = height above the ground

  
  

Potential energy is important because it can convert to other forms, like kinetic energy (energy of motion), allowing objects to move, heat up, or power various processes.