Definition of potential energy in US English:
potential energy
nounpəˈtɛn(t)ʃəl ˈɛnərdʒi
Physics The energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors.
Compare with kinetic energy
Example sentencesExamples
- He criticised Descartes' ideas of mechanics and examined what are effectively kinetic energy, potential energy and momentum.
- The energy flow resulting from transforming kinetic energy into potential energy is heat.
- The gravitation force actually converts potential energy into mass by forcing protons and electrons to combine into neutrons.
- Ah, the joys of watching gravitational potential energy convert into kinetic energy.
- The molecules convert their kinetic energy into potential energy when they rise into the air just like the ball did.