Potential energy

The energy possessed by an object because of its position (in a gravitational or electric field), or its condition (as a stretched or compressed spring, as a chemical reactant, or by having rest mass).

• The potential energy of a stretched spring is —

\begin{align} \label{eq:13201a} PE = \small\frac{1}{2} \normalsize \, k \, u^2 \end{align}

where —

\( PE \)	= potential energy
\( k \)	= spring stiffness
\( u \)	= stretch

• The potential energy of a capacitor is —

\begin{align} \label{eq:13202a} PE = \small\frac{1}{2} \normalsize \, (1/C) \, q^2 \end{align}

where —

\( PE \)	= potential energy
\( C \)	= capacitance
\( q \)	= charge

Also see —
Kinetic energy
Stored energy
Strain energy
Energy stored in a thin longitudinally resonant member