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# Derivation of Potential Energy

## What is Potential Energy?

Last updated date: 26th Mar 2023
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Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its relative stationary position in space, stress, or electric charge. Potential energy is the inherent energy of the body relative to its static position to the other objects. Potential energy is one of the two main types of energy, while the other is kinetic energy. The two types of potential energy are elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy: Elastic Potential Energy is the energy present in objects that can be stretched or extended, such as trampoline, rubber bands, and bungee cords. The further an object can expand, the more elastic potential energy it has. Many items are designed specially to store elastic potential energy such as a twisted rubber band that powers a toy plane or a Coil spring of a wind-up clock.

The elastic potential energy formula derivation is:

U = 1/2 kx2

Where,

U = elastic potential energy

k = spring force constant

x = string stretch length in m

Gravitational Potential Energy: Gravitational potential energy is the energy acquired by an object due to a shift in its position when it is present in a gravitational field. In simple terms, it can be stated that gravitational potential energy is an energy that is linked to gravity or gravitational force.

The gravitational potential energy equation is:

GPE = m × g × h,

m = mass in kilograms,

g = acceleration (9.8 ms-2 on Earth)

h = height.

### Derivation for Potential Energy

The derivation of potential energy is discussed here. Potential energy is determined as the energy that is held by an object because of its stationary position. Joule is the S.I. unit of potential energy; its symbol is J. Scottish engineer and physicist William Rankine coined the term potential in the 19th century. The potential energy formula depends on the force enacting on two objects. The formula of gravitational potential energy is:

W = m × g × h = mgh

m = mass in kilograms

g = acceleration due to gravity

h = height in meters.

### Gravitational Potential Energy Derivation Equation

Let us consider an object, of mass M, which is placed along the x-axis, and there is a test mass m at infinity. Work done at bringing it without acceleration through a minimal distance (dx) is given by:

dw = Fdx

Here, F is an attractive force and towards the negative x-axis direction is the displacement. Therefore, F and dx are in a similar direction.

$dw = (\frac{GMm}{x^{2}}) dx$

Integrating both sides,

$w = \int_{r}^{\infty} \frac{GMm}{x^{2}} dx$

$w = -[ \frac{GMm}{x}]$

$w = -[\frac{GMm}{r}] - (\frac{-GMm}{\infty})$

$w = \frac{-GMm}{r}$

As the potential energy is stored as U, the gravitational potential energy at ‘r’ distance from the object having mass ‘M’ is:

U = - GMm/r

Now if another mass inside the gravitational field moves from one point inside the field to another point of the field of mass M, the other mass experiences a change in potential energy given by:

ΔU = GMm ($\frac{1}{r_i} – \frac{1}{r_f}$)       ( ri= initial position and rf= final position )

If ri > rf  then ΔU is negative.

### Derive an Expression for Gravitational Potential Energy at Height ‘h’

Let‘s consider an object taken to a height ‘h’ from the surface of the earth.

ri = R and rf = R + h

then,

ΔU = GMm $\frac{1}{R} – \frac{1}{(R+h)}$

ΔU = GMmh/R(R + h)

When, h<<R, then, R + h = R and g = GM/R2.

On substituting this in the above equation we get,

Gravitational Potential Energy ΔU = mgh.

## FAQs on Derivation of Potential Energy

1. Define Electric Potential Energy.

Electric potential energy is the energy that is required to lead a charge against an electric domain. This potential energy is measured in joules. An object has electric potential energy under two essential components: its relative position to other electrically charged objects and its own electric charge. Some examples of electric potential energy are a radio tower that is not operating, a mobile that is switched off, or solar cells at nighttime. The formula for electric potential energy is U🇪 = k q1q2/r,

where U🇪 is EP energy, k is Coulomb Constant, q1 and q2 are charges and r is the distance of separation between them.

2. If we Stretch and Compress a String, How will the Potential Energy Change?

A spring in its normal position is at a state of equilibrium, and when we compress the string, we do work against the spring force. This work done is converted and stored as potential energy. Now when we release the spring, it oscillates and gradually comes back to its equilibrium position. A spring that is stretched is done so by working against its elastic force. This work done is stored as potential energy. Now when we release the spring, it comes back to its equilibrium state as a result of its elastic force.

3. Who discovered gravity and what was its significance?

Gravity was discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. It is a widely popular belief that Newton discovered gravity after watching an apple fall from the trees. He published his principle of gravity in the year 1666. This was one of the most significant discoveries in the history of Science as it completely changed the way humans thought about mundane daily things which seemed very common at a time but people realized that there were scientific principles behind them. It led to the growth of scientific temper.

4. What is an example of Elastic potential energy and Gravitational Potential Energy?

A very good device that can show elastic potential energy at work is the catapult in which a load is attached to the center of the device which is connected with strings. This string is then pulled back which stores elastic energy in the strings. When the strings are released, the object gains kinetic energy and is released at a high speed. Similarly, Gravitational potential energy can be seen to be working with the help of a pendulum where a blob is connected to a light string and the blob then moves by transforming its Potential energy to Kinetic energy.

5. What is the fundamental behind Gravity?

Gravity is called the acceleration which an object experiences when it is falling down towards or away from the surface of the earth. According to the principle of gravitation, every object which has mass attracts the other body towards itself. This attractive force is directly proportional to the weight of both the object and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. It is notable that as the mass of normal objects is very small hence the gravitational force between two normal bodies is negligible.

6. Is the acceleration due to gravity, or “g” the same throughout the earth?

According to the laws of gravitation, the gravitational force acting between two objects is inversely proportional to the distance between them. So it is interesting to note that the radius of the earth is not the same throughout the earth, WE have mountains, valleys, and a number of topographic landforms. Theoretically, the gravitational force acting at the peak of Mount Everest is lower than what we experience at ground level, also the gravitational field at the equator is higher than that experienced at the North Pole. However, these differences are so small that they can be neglected.

7. I am having trouble while solving the questions of Potential energy, what shall I do?

Mechanics is one of the most important subjects in the JEE examinations, there are a large number of questions that are asked from this topic, so it is necessary that students have a good command of the topic. Try asking your teachers whatever doubts you may be having during the class and approach your friends who have solved those questions in which you are having trouble. Vedantu provides quality online resources including explanations and solved exercises which are easily accessible to the students to get a good command over the subject.