potential energy
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potential energy

noun

Definition of POTENTIAL ENERGY

: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts

First Known Use of POTENTIAL ENERGY

1853

potential energy

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of POTENTIAL ENERGY

: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or because of the arrangement of parts

potential energy

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Energy stored by an object by virtue of its position. For example, an object raised above the ground acquires potential energy equal to the work done against the force of gravity; the energy is released as kinetic energy when it falls back to the ground. Similarly, a stretched spring has stored potential energy that is released when the spring is returned to its unstretched state. Other forms of potential energy include electrical potential energy, chemical energy, and nuclear energy.

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