Potential energy can exist as a result of the position of an object. Gravitational Potential Energy exists as a result of an object's vertical position in relation to the Earth's surface. Birds have gravitational potential energy when they are in the air or in trees. Trees have gravitational potential energy if they are disturbed and fall down. You have gravitational potential energy. When you are standing, your potential energy is higher than when you sit down. When you sit down, your potential energy is higher than when you lie down. The closer an object is to the ground, the lower its gravitational potential energy.
Elastic Potential Energy is the energy stored in an elastic material when it is stretched. If you stretch a rubber band, it has potential energy until it is released and snaps back to its normal position. This is an example of elastic potential energy. Springs can store elastic potential energy. The spring inside a jack in the box is tight and full of potential energy until the lid of the box opens and the energy is released.
There is Electrical Potential Energy; it is called voltage. It is stored electrical energy. When it is released it is not an object that moves, but an electrical charge (electrons). Chemical potential energy is found in batteries. This is typically transformed into electrical energy when a circuit is closed This energy is released when you turn on a MP3 player or a flashlight.
There is also Chemical Potential Energy stored in molecules which is released during a chemical reaction.
What type of potential energy can each example be classified as? Click on the example to reveal the answer.
| Example | Answer |
| A crane with a wrecking ball held 30 meters in the air | Gravitational Potential Energy |
| A slinky | Elastic Potential Energy |
| Coal that will be burned in a stove | Chemical Potential Energy |
| An archer with a bow pulled tight | Elastic Potential Energy |
| A car's headlights before they are turned on | Electrical Potential Energy |
| A lamp sitting on a desk | Gravitational Potential Energy |
