Potential Energy - AP® Physics Definition

In AP® Physics, a system has potential energy when it consists of two or more objects interacting with each other through conservative forces like gravity or elasticity. Potential energy depends on the positions of the objects within the system and is not influenced by their motion. It is a scalar quantity, which means it has only magnitude, not direction.

Examples include gravitational potential energy, as seen when an object is elevated, and elastic potential energy, as found in a stretched spring.

Changes in potential energy indicate work done on or by the system, and because conservative forces are path-independent, so is the potential energy. For instance, when an object is lifted onto a shelf, it gains gravitational potential energy. If the shelf is removed, this energy converts into kinetic energy as the object falls.

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