DefintionThe definition of potential energy is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors. I think this is when an object is not in motion that it has potential energy.
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How Potential Energy is TransferredPotential energy is transferred into kinetic energy when the objects start to move. For example the more you stretch the rubber band, the more potential energy it gains. As the rubber band is released, the potential energy is changed to kinetic energy.
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How to Calculate Potential Energy
The equation to solve for an objects potential energy is PE=mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of how far the object is off the ground. For example if a ball is on a cliff, and the ball weighs 2 kilograms, and it is 15 feet off the ground, and the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s squared, the equation you would use to find the potential energy of the object would be PE=(2kg)(9.8m/s^2)(15). So the potential energy of the ball would be 294 J.
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