Energy is everywhere and comes in many forms, v the two most typical forms recognized as potential energy and kinetic energy.

You are watching: Similarities between kinetic and potential energy

despite they’re really different in terms of exactly how they communicate with the physics world, lock have details aspects that make them complementary come one another. Yet to understand exactly how they work, you very first need to recognize what they space — and also the an interpretation of energy itself.  

What Is Potential and also Kinetic Energy?

Before understanding either kind of energy, it’s an important to understand what power really is. In the most basic terms, energy is the capacity to perform work, which is as soon as a force is used to an object and the moves<1>. 

Potential power is among the 2 main varieties of power in the universe. It’s reasonably straightforward, return slightly complicated to master intuitively: the is a form of energy that has the potential to do work however is not proactively doing work-related or applying any force on any other objects. Potential power of an item is discovered in the position, not its motion. That is the power of position.  

When objects space displaced from location of equilibrium, lock gain energy that to be stored in the objects prior to being knocked the end of equilibrium through elastic rebound, gravity, or chemistry reactions. This is ideal demonstrated in things like one archer’s bow, which stores the power that is produced from pulling earlier the bowstring. The potential power stored in the pullback is responsible for the power that wake up upon release, which is known as kinetic energy.  

Understanding kinetic energy is intuitively easier since it’s an ext obvious that relocating things have actually energy.  

Kinetic power is developed when potential energy is released, spurred right into motion by gravity or elastic forces, among other catalysts. 

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When work is excellent on an object and the accelerates, it boosts the kinetic power of an object. The many important components that recognize kinetic energy is the activity (measured together velocity) and also the massive of the object in question.  

While massive is a universal measurement, the activity of things can occur in plenty of different ways, consisting of rotation about an axis, vibration, translation, or any combination of these and also other motions<2>. 

There room three subcategories the kinetic energy: vibrational, rotational, and also translational.  

Vibrational kinetic power is, unsurprisingly, led to by objects vibrating. Rotational kinetic power is produced by moving objects, when translational kinetic energy is caused by objects colliding v one another.  

These three subcategories the kinetic energy consist of nearly every one of the energy in movement throughout the known universe. 

What are the Differences between Potential and also Kinetic Energy? 

The main difference in between potential and kinetic energy is that one is the power of what can be and also one is the energy of what is. In various other words, potential power is stationary, v stored energy to be released; kinetic power is energy in motion, proactively using energy for movement.  

Another important difference is velocity. This measurement is the communication of kinetic energy, yet has nothing to do with potential energy. In fact, velocity is the most important component of the equation as soon as determining the quantity of kinetic energy for any given object, and it is nonexistent in the potential power equation<3>.  


What Is the Relationship between Potential and Kinetic Energy? 

Although this primary develops of energy are an extremely different, they space complementary come one another.  

Potential energy constantly leads to kinetic energy when the is released<4>, and kinetic energy is necessary to permit an object to store power as potential, in one means or another. Because that example, a absent on the edge of a cliff walk not straight need kinetic power to save the potential power that will certainly send it down the eroding cliff face. But the plot of erosion to acquire the absent to the edge requires kinetic energy. Therefore, the rock calls for it for its potential energy. 

Given that these are the two main develops of power in the world, especially on the human being scale, there’s a constant push and pull between potential energy and also kinetic energy in daily life. 

What Are examples of Potential and Kinetic Energy? 


Although the an interpretation of both potential and kinetic power may it seems to be ~ pretty straightforward and also simple, it’s still not always easy come tell which type of power is existing for particular objects or processes.  

1) Planets 

The motion of planets roughly the sun and also other stars in the galaxy is kinetic power at work. Together they are attracted towards the big objects at the facility of their respective orbits, because of the solid gravitational pull, they loss towards the center of the mass. This results in an orbiting movement — and all activity is a type of kinetic energy. <5> 

2) Rubber Bands 

Rubber bands have the right to be classified together both potential and kinetic energy, depending on the state of the band. When an elastic is stretched, that loaded v potential energy; when released over there is a shift to kinetic energy. This is specifically true if the elastic is transporting another object, such just like a rock being flung from a slingshot. <6> 

3) Rivers 

Rivers space strictly kinetic energy at work. The water is constantly moving, and all that motion is constantly developing kinetic energy. The only time a river might have potential energy is if that is dammed, through the artificial reservoir storing energy to be offered when required along a hydroelectric dam. <7> 

4) certain Variations 

There are particular variations of energy within both kinetic and also potential power classifications. While part variations, such together the potential power stored in batteries, are readily apparent, others space not as straightforward to identify.  

What Is the Potential power of an Electron? 

Electrons room in motion, so they save kinetic energy. This is one of the finest examples the a nonphysical object transferring kinetic energy.  

However, the still possible to discern the potential energy that an electron has actually stored. To find this potential energy, it calls for a complicated formula<8>: 

U(r) = -qeV(r) = -keqe2/r 

The full energy is the amount of the electron’s kinetic energy and its potential energy, which is represented by an also more facility formula<8>: 

KE(r)+PE(r)=-½keqe2/r=(-½)(9*109)(1.60*10-19)/(5.29*10-11) J = -2.18*10-18 J 

Is a Battery Kinetic or Potential Energy? 

Batteries room a form of chemical energy, with power stored in the bond of molecules contained within the battery acid at their core. The vital word below is “stored” — an interpretation batteries are a type of potential energy, i beg your pardon is how all chemical energy is share <9>. Biofuels and fossil fuels space other examples of stored chemistry energy. 

Is electrical Energy Potential or Kinetic? 

Electrical power is classified together potential energy prior to it’s released and also used in the kind of power, which is most generally harnessed and also used as electricity<10>. However, when it is converted from its potential state, electrical energy can end up being one the the subtypes of kinetic energy, consisting of motion or sound, among others. 

Is Sound power Potential or Kinetic? 

Sound deserve to be taken into consideration both develops of power at the same time, though the primary means we experience it is in kinetic form. Sound energy in air, i beg your pardon is created from longitudinal waves that produce motion in gas molecules, is kinetic. In solids and also liquids, which bring sound much farther than v air, this is both kinetic and potential power at work.<11>  


Potential power can be damaged down into two subforms the energy. Every of this subforms are types of stored potential energy. However the technique in i m sorry they space stored — and also released — are vastly different. 

What Is chemistry Potential Energy? 

Chemical potential power is save on computer in molecule bonds, i m sorry are also known together chemical bonds. When these bonds are broken, the save on computer potential power is released and also gives turn off varying levels of kinetic energy, depending on the stamin of the bonds.<14> 

What Is Gravitational Potential Energy? 

Gravitational potential energy is save on computer in the object as result of the potential because that the pressure of heaviness to relocate it and also pull it towards the Earth. The lot of save on computer potential gravitational power depends straight on the mass of the thing and, an ext importantly, the height above the ground.<15> 

The Science 

The 2 subforms that potential energy covered above role primarily through the two most straightforward fields that science. However, the mechanism that governs potential power in the realm of physics is much different than the system that governs in the realm of chemistry. 

What Is Potential power in Physics? 

Potential power in the kingdom of physics is in the form of gravitational potential energy. Heaviness is maybe the many important facet of physics, as it is the communication of general relativity, i m sorry the entire contemporary world is based upon. The is this pressure that developed potential power in physics terms.<16> 

What Is Potential power in Chemistry? 

Potential power in the kingdom of chemistry is in the type of chemical potential energy. This is energy stored in molecular bonds, i beg your pardon is the basis of chemistry and chemical reactions. Stored potential power is released with these chemistry reactions.

See more: What Is The Equivalent Indian Shoe Size 7 In Us Shoe Size To India


What room the Formulas because that Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy?

The formulas for potential and also kinetic power are fairly straightforward, yet they room by no way simple.  

Kinetic energy can be uncovered using the formula: KE=12mv2 

m = massive (kg) v = velocity (m/s) 

Gravitational potential power can be uncovered using the formula: W = m×g×h = mgh 

m = fixed (kg) g = acceleration due to gravitational ar (9.8 m/s2) h = height (m) 

Elastic potential power can be discovered using the formula: U=12kx2 

k = spring force constant x = stretch size (m) 

The units used to measure each of these develops of power is the exact same as all the other forms of energy: the Joule (J), i beg your pardon is same to 1 kg.m2.s-2.<17> 

Energy Everywhere 

You have actually learned around several develops of power — along with some pertinent instances — however there is much much more that requirements to be covered to completely understand the concept of energy.  

However, understanding the two main forms of power that penetrate not only everyday life, but likewise the main point of physics transparent the universe, is a great starting point and sets the structure for any kind of deeper dives right into the nature of power itself.  

There are only two points that absolutely should be remembered: stationary objects through stored power have potential and moving objects room kinetic.  

Brought come you by


<2> Priddy B. What Is the an interpretation of Kinetic Energy? Published March 2, 2019. Accessed November 9, 2020. 

<3> Work, Energy, and also Power. The Physics Classroom. Https:// Accessed November 9, 2020.

<4> Energy: Potential and also Kinetic Energy. Infoplease. Https:// Accessed November 9, 2020. 

<5> Fenio, B. Roll Race: A Spinning science Activity. Released March 23, 2017. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020 

<6> science World. Elastic Energy. Https:// Accessed November 16, 2020. 

<7> university of Calgary power Education. Energy from Water. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020.

<8> university of Tennessee, Knoxville. Electric Potential. Http://,2.18*10%2D18%20J. Accessed November 15, 2020 

<9> Dusto A. Potential Energy: What Is the & Why It problem (w/ Formula & Examples). Sciencing. Https:// Published December 5, 2019. Accessed November 10, 2020 

<10> U.S. Power Information Agency. Creates of Energy. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020. 

<11> Sound Waves and Music – class 1 – The Nature of a Sound Wave: Sound as a Longitudinal wave Accessed November 15, 2020.

<12 college of Illinois department of Physics. Q&A: Kinetic and also Potential. Https://,microscopic%20scale%20of%20moving%20molecules.. Accessed November 15, 2020. 

<13> Solar Schools. Radiant Energy. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020.

<14> CK-12. Chemistry Potential Energy. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020.

<15> Solar Schools. Gravitational Energy. Https:// Accessed November 15, 2020.

<16> Hyperphysics. Gravitational Potential Energy. Http:// Accessed November 16, 2020. 

<17> Kinetic & Potential Energy. Kinetic & Potential energy – net Formulas. Https:// Accessed November 9, 2020.