potential energy
Latent work capacity
Potential energy is stored energy that results from an object's position or configuration rather than its motion.
A boulder at a cliff's edge has gravitational potential energy; a compressed spring has elastic potential energy.
The energy becomes kinetic when released—the boulder falls, the spring rebounds.
The roller coaster gains potential energy as it climbs the first hill.
Vertical extent upward
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- elevationHeight above reference point
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- fallDescend under gravity
drop · cliff · summit · peak · plateau · ledge · tower · mountain
SI energy quantity
- workEffort toward a goal
- fieldArea of specialty
- equilibriumState of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
kinetic · scalar · reference point · thermodynamics · closed system
Recoiling metal spiral
- coilWound circular arrangement
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- tensionStretched or strained state
- compressionForcing into smaller space
stress · strain · deformation · recoil · flexibility · slingshot · rubber band · bow
Kept in reserve
- dormantInactive but capable
- untappedNot yet utilized
- unrealizedNot made actual
- hiddenKept out of sight
reserve · pent-up · coiled · waiting · inherent · capacity · promise · possibility
Cost or accusation
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- electrostaticOf stationary electrical charges
coulomb · electric field · electron · ion · dielectric · defibrillator · lightning · static electricity
Ties that unite
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
- foodConsumable nourishment source
calories · combustion · metabolism · photosynthesis · nuclear · fat reserves · glycogen · carbohydrates
height
Vertical extent upward
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- elevationHeight above reference point
- gravityMutual mass attraction
fall · drop · cliff · summit · peak · plateau · ledge · tower · mountain · gorge
joule
SI energy quantity
- workEffort toward a goal
- fieldArea of specialty
- equilibriumState of balance
stability · kinetic · scalar · reference point · thermodynamics · closed system
spring
Recoiling metal spiral
- coilWound circular arrangement
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- tensionStretched or strained state
compression · stress · strain · deformation · recoil · flexibility · slingshot · rubber band · bow · catapult
stored
Kept in reserve
- dormantInactive but capable
- untappedNot yet utilized
- unrealizedNot made actual
hidden · reserve · pent-up · coiled · waiting · inherent · capacity · promise · possibility · readiness
charge
Cost or accusation
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- voltageElectrical potential difference
electrostatic · coulomb · electric field · electron · ion · dielectric · defibrillator · lightning · static electricity · Van de Graaff
bonds
Ties that unite
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
food · calories · combustion · metabolism · photosynthesis · nuclear · fat reserves · glycogen · carbohydrates · fuel
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- Chemical Theoryatomic theory, molecular theory, kinetic theory, quantum theory, ligand field theory
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- mechanicsforce, turning, rotation, momentum, velocity
- scientific phrasesbig bang, black hole, natural selection, climate change, genetic code
- classical physicsNewton, Newton's laws, Newtonian physics, laws of motion, force
potential energykinetic energy
Power from movement
dynamic energy · mechanical motion · thermal energy · radiant energy · momentum
energy, potential, potent, potentially, omnipotent, potentiometer, impotently, potentiometers