How is potential energy defined?

Potential energy is defined as stored energy, which refers to energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition. This type of energy has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. For instance, when an object is elevated above the ground, it stores gravitational potential energy because of its position in a gravitational field. When the object is allowed to fall, that potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as the object moves downwards.

Stored energy can also take other forms, such as elastic potential energy in a compressed spring or chemical potential energy in fuel. By understanding potential energy as energy that is not currently in motion but has the capacity to do work when released or transformed, it becomes clear why this concept is fundamental in the study of physical sciences.