CBSE Class 11th The concept of potential energy Details & Preparations Downloads

In the grand tapestry of the universe, energy takes centre stage as the driving force behind all phenomena. Among its various forms, potential energy stands out as a captivating and essential concept that governs the behaviour of objects and systems. Join me on a journey as we delve into the realm of potential energy, unravelling its mysteries and understanding the profound impact it has on our everyday lives.

What is Potential Energy?

Potential energy is a form of energy associated with an object's position or condition rather than its motion. It is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a force field or its potential to undergo changes in configuration. The concept of potential energy is fundamental in physics, particularly in the study of mechanics and thermodynamics. After understanding potential energy and potential energy definition, let us learn the formula, unit, and examples of potential energy.

Potential Energy Formula

The formula for potential energy depends on the force acting on the two objects. For the gravitational force, the formula is:

Types of Potential Energy:

There are various types of potential energy, each associated with different forces and interactions. Here are a few common types:

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE):

The gravitational potential energy of an object is defined as the energy possessed by an object that rose to a certain height against gravity. We shall formulate gravitational energy with the following example.

Consider an object of mass = m.
Placed at a height h from the ground, as shown in the figure.

As we know, the force required to raise the object equals m×g, that is, the object’s weight.

As the object is raised against the force of gravity, some amount of work (W) is done on it.

Work done on the object = force × displacement.

So,

W = m×g×h = mgh

Above is the potential energy formula.

As per the law of conservation of energy, since the work done on the object is equal to m×g×h, the energy gained by the object = m×g×h, which in this case is the potential energy E.

E of an object raised to a height h above the ground = m×g×h

It is important to note that the gravitational energy does not depend upon the distance travelled by the object, but the displacement, i.e., the difference between the initial and the final height of the object. Hence, the path along which the object has reached the height is not considered. In the example shown above, the gravitational potential energy for both blocks A and B will be the same.

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Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic potential energy is stored in objects that can be compressed or stretched, such as rubber bands, trampolines and bungee cords. The more an object can stretch, the more elastic its potential energy is. Many objects are specifically designed to store elastic potential energy, such as the following:

A twisted rubber band that powers a toy plane
An archer’s stretched bow
A bent diver’s board just before a diver dives in
The coil spring of a wind-up clock

An object that stores elastic potential energy will typically have a high elastic limit. However, all elastic objects have a threshold to the load they can sustain. When deformed beyond the elastic limit, the object will no longer return to its original shape.

Elastic potential energy can be calculated using the following formula:

u=1/2kx2

Where,

U is the elastic potential energy
k is the spring force constant
x is the string stretch length in m

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