Potential Energy

​When objects have the potential to change their position due to the force of gravity

• The height above the surface.

• The mass of the object affects

​When the energy is stored within the matter itself (for example, energy stored in a battery).

When a battery is connected to a closed circuit to power an object, electricity can flow and potential energy is changed to the kinetic energy of an electric current.

Elastic potential energy is when it is stretched or compressed within the object (for example, a stretched string on a bow about to shoot an arrow).

When certain metal objects in a magnetic field have the potential of changing their position due to the force of magnetism.

When charged particles in an electrostatic field have the potential of moving toward the opposite charge or away from the same charge.

​Scientists measure both potential and kinetic energy in joules (J)

​Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form to another.