Potential energy is gained when work is done on an object to change its position or state against a force, such as gravity or a spring.
Specifically, when considering gravitational potential energy, it is gained by working on an object to lift it to a higher position.
Gaining Gravitational Potential Energy
According to physics principles, performing work on an object involves applying a force over a distance. When you lift an object, you are applying an upward force to counteract the downward pull of gravity.
- Lifting requires working against gravity.
- Working on an object transfers energy to it, increasing its gravitational potential energy.
This means that the energy you expend while lifting the object is stored within the object as gravitational potential energy. This stored energy has the potential to do work itself, for instance, if the object were to fall back down. The reference highlights that "The force of gravity would have to exert the same amount of effort to bring the same thing down to Earth's surface if it fell from the same height," demonstrating this stored potential.
Think of it this way:
| Action | Force Opposed | Energy Transferred | Potential Energy Gained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifting an object | Gravity | Work Done | Gravitational Potential Energy |
| Stretching a spring | Spring Force | Work Done | Elastic Potential Energy |
Examples of Gaining Potential Energy
- Lifting a book onto a shelf: You do work against gravity to raise the book's height, increasing its gravitational potential energy.
- A roller coaster climbing to the top of the first hill: The motor does work to lift the cars against gravity, giving them a large amount of gravitational potential energy.
- Stretching a rubber band: You do work against the elastic force of the rubber band, storing elastic potential energy in it.
In summary, potential energy, particularly gravitational potential energy, is gained by doing work on an object to move it to a position where it has the potential to do work itself, often against a conservative force like gravity. This work transfers energy to the object, which is then stored as potential energy.
