There is only one form of kinetic energy, but there are many forms of potential energy. For example there is a potential energy stored in the gravitational field. If you lift a body up, then you are putting energy in the body. Anytime a body is lifted higher than it was earlier then is has potential energy. Physicists refer to gravitational potential as energy of position or energy of height. A body has zero potential when it is as the lowest height of its motion. It has the most at the highest point of its motion. Where the potential energy equal to "zero" is a relative thing.

Potential energy due to gravity is determined by the following math expression:

Example 2 Question Solution How much potential energy does the orange have?

 

Example 3 Question Solution What is the gravitational potential energy of the car as it moves over the hill? The fact that the car is moving does not affect its gravitational potential energy because the equation, "mgh," does not contain a velocity variable.

 

Example 4 Question Solution Video Solution In a pinewood derby contest, a contestant's vehicle starts a the top of a ramp that is 4.0 meters long and placed at a 30 degree angle with the floor. If an entry has a mass of 0.140 kg, then what is the car's potential energy compared to the floor's height? This video can be found on YouTube at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdRBil34DpU&feature=share&list=UU4HomD6leEUKOiIC4jM5P2w