Potential energy

Potential energy is energy that is stored in an object. An example is gravitational potential energy such as that of a roller coaster train at the peak of its lift hill.

The formula for gravitational potential energy for two point masses is:

<math>V = -\frac{GMm}{r}</math>

where

<math>G</math> is Newton's gravitational constant

<math>M</math> and <math>m</math> are the masses of the two particles

<math>r</math> is their separation

If one particle moves a radial distance (towards or away) from the other a distance <math>\Delta h</math> and <math>\Delta h \ll r</math>, then the change in potential <math>\Delta E</math> can be approximated by

<math>\Delta E = mg \, \Delta h</math>

where <math>g</math> is the gravitational field strength in the vicinity of the initial and final points.

See also

• Kinetic Energy