3.3 Potential Energy
Section 1 of 4
Potential Energy
Interactive Content
Note:
All content in this lesson is interactive. Hover over the
glowing blue terms
to learn more about a Vocabulary term. Hover over the icons to learn more about a Key Formula or Graph. Hover over any line, point,
or curve on any graph or diagram to learn more about it.
In a system of 2 or more objects, the system can have potential energy. Potential energy is the stored energy in a position or configuration. Potential energy arises from when objects in a system interact with each other through conservative forces. Potential energy is a scalar, measured in Joules (J), and represented with the variable U.
At any position in the system, the observer can define that position as having 0 potential energy. This assumption is arbitrary as what is physically happening in the system will not change. However, the calculations in the system will change.
Nova
Ask Nova a question!