GC: n
CT: Potential energy is energy which results from position or configuration. An object may have the capacity for doing work as a result of its position in a gravitational field (gravitational potential energy), an electric field (electric potential energy), or a magnetic field (magnetic potential energy). It may have elastic potential energy as a result of a stretched spring or other elastic deformation.
S: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pegrav.html (last access: 8 February 2015)
N: 1. potential (adj): late 14c., “possible” (as opposed to actual), from Old French potenciel and directly from Late Latin potentialis “potential,” from Latin potentia “power, might, force;” figuratively “political power, authority, influence,” from potens “powerful” (see potent). The noun, meaning “that which is possible,” is first attested 1817, from the adjective.
energy (n): 1590s, “force of expression,” from Middle French énergie (16c.), from Late Latin energia, from Greek energeia “activity, action, operation,” from energos “active, working,” from en “at” + ergon “work, that which is wrought; business; action”.
Used by Aristotle with a sense of “actuality, reality, existence” (opposed to “potential”) but this was misunderstood in Late Latin and afterward as “force of expression,” as the power which calls up realistic mental pictures. Broader meaning of “power” in English is first recorded 1660s. Scientific use is from 1807. Energy crisis first attested 1970.
2. Energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position in the Earth’s gravitational field.
3. It is measured by the work needed to lift the body from an arbitrary standard level, normally mean sea level, to its given position.
4. An object can store energy as the result of its position. For example, the heavy ball of a demolition machine is storing energy when it is held at an elevated position. This stored energy of position is referred to as potential energy. Similarly, a drawn bow is able to store energy as the result of its position. When assuming its usual position (i.e., when not drawn), there is no energy stored in the bow. Yet when its position is altered from its usual equilibrium position, the bow is able to store energy by virtue of its position. This stored energy of position is referred to as potential energy. Potential energy is the stored energy of position possessed by an object.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=potential+energy&searchmode=none (last access: 8 February 2015). 2 & 3. GDT. 4. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/energy/Lesson-1/Potential-Energy (last access: 8 February 2015).
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