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How is potential energy defined in general, beyond the specific case of gravitational potential energy?
AThe energy an object has from being in motion
BEnergy due to position, shape, or configuration
CEnergy permanently lost to friction in a process
DThe total energy input needed to start a process
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Energy due to position, shape, or configuration
1. Potential energy is defined as the energy a system has due to its position, shape, or configuration.
2. It is stored energy that is completely recoverable as work, unlike energy dissipated by friction.
3. Energy due to motion is instead called kinetic energy, a separate quantity from potential energy.
4. Potential energy is not the energy permanently lost to friction, and it is not defined as whatever energy input starts a process, since it specifically concerns stored, recoverable energy tied to configuration.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Work, Energy, and Energy Resources", section 7.4 Conservative Forces and Potential Energy_
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