Difference between revisions of "Potential energy"
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| − | + | '''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]].<ref>Wile, Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> | |
| + | |||
| + | 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 [[mass (science)|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]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | [[ | + | |
| + | [[Category:Energy]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mechanics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:26, April 7, 2017
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.[1]
The formula for gravitational potential energy for two point masses is:
where
is Newton's gravitational constant
and 
are the masses of the two particles
is their separation
If one particle moves a radial distance (towards or away) from the other a distance 
and 
, then the change in potential 
can be approximated by
where 
is the gravitational field strength in the vicinity of the initial and final points.
See also
References
- ↑ Wile, Jay L. Exploring Creation With Chemistry. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998
