Potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position or state. It is stored energy that can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy.
Potential energy is measured in joules (J) in the metric system. In the English system, it is measured in foot-pounds (ft-lb).
There are several types of potential energy, including gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and chemical potential energy. Gravitational potential energy is due to an object's height and mass, elastic potential energy is due to an object's deformation, and chemical potential energy is due to the chemical bonds in a substance.
The formula for gravitational potential energy is PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2 on Earth), and h is the height of the object above the ground.
Potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy through work, which is the transfer of energy from one object to another. For example, an object at the top of a hill has potential energy due to its height. When it rolls down the hill, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the energy of motion.
