Monday: Science
What is the name of the energy stored in an object due to its position or height?
Hint: Think about the energy an object has before it starts moving—like a stretched rubber band or a book on a high shelf.
Potential energy is the stored energy an object has due to its position or condition.
One of the most common types is gravitational potential energy, which depends on an object's height and mass, as well as the force of gravity acting upon it. The higher an object is positioned, the greater its potential energy, as seen in a stretched rubber band, a roller coaster at the top of a hill, or water held behind a dam. This stored energy can be converted into kinetic energy when the object begins to move.
Potential energy plays a crucial role in physics, engineering, and everyday life, influencing everything from the way we generate electricity to how athletes perform jumps and dives.
What about the other answers:
Kinetic Energy: This is the energy of motion, not stored energy due to position.
Thermal Energy: This refers to heat energy, not energy stored due to an object's position.
Mechanical Energy: This is a combination of potential and kinetic energy, not just stored energy.
