# Potential Energy

Written by Jerry Ratzlaff on . Posted in Classical Mechanics

Potential energy, abbreviated as PE, also called gravitational potential energy, is the possessed energy by a body due to its relative position in a gravitational field.  As the elevation of the body decreases the less potential energy.

## Potential Energy Types

• Chemical Energy  -  When two substances are combined or mixed together to produce a chemical reaction.
• Elastic Energy  -  The energy stored in objects as the result of deformation, such as a spring when stretching or compressing.
• Electric Energy  -  Energy stored in an electric field or transported by an electric current.
• Magnetic Energy  -  A natural phenomenon by which some objects produce attractive or repulsive forces on other materials.

## Potential energy formula

$$\large{ PE = m \; g \; h }$$
Symbol English Metric
$$\large{ PE }$$ = potential energy $$\large{ lbf-ft }$$ $$\large{ J }$$
$$\large{ g }$$ = gravity $$\large{\frac{ft}{sec^2}}$$ $$\large{\frac{m}{s^2}}$$
$$\large{ h }$$ = height $$\large{ ft }$$ $$\large{ m }$$
$$\large{ m }$$ = mass $$\large{ lbm }$$ $$\large{ kg }$$

Tags: Energy Equations