Potential energy is really important in understanding how things move in physics. It’s the energy that is stored in an object because of where it is or how it’s arranged. There are two main types of potential energy: gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.

1. Gravitational Potential Energy (PEg):

   • This type of energy depends on how high an object is above the ground. We can figure out gravitational potential energy using this formula: $PE_g = mgh$ Here’s what the letters mean:
     • $m$ = mass (how much stuff is in the object, measured in kilograms)
     • $g$ = how fast things fall (about $9.81 \, m/s^2$)
     • $h$ = height (how high it is, measured in meters)

   For example, if you lift a rock to a higher shelf, it has more gravitational potential energy than a rock that’s sitting on the ground.

2. Elastic Potential Energy (PEe):

   • This type of energy is found in stretchy materials, like rubber bands, when they are pulled or squished. We can calculate elastic potential energy using this formula: $PE_e = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$ In this formula:
     • $k$ = spring constant (which tells us how stiff the material is, measured in N/m)
     • $x$ = how far it is stretched from its normal position (measured in meters)

   A good example of elastic potential energy is a stretched rubber band, which is ready to snap back and shoot forward when you let it go.

In both types of potential energy, the energy can change into kinetic energy, which is the energy of moving things! This change is what affects how things move around.