Which object is an example of an object that has potential energy?

Which object is an example of an object that has potential energy?

• A. A rock at the top of a hill
• B. A rock rolling down a hill
• C. A car moving at constant speed
• D. A light bulb powered by electricity

Answer: (A)

Potential energy is energy stored because of an object's position in a field, such as gravity. A rock resting at the top of a hill has gravitational potential energy because it sits higher in Earth's gravitational field; if released, gravity can do work on it as it moves downward, converting that stored energy into motion. The other scenarios describe energy that is already in motion or being used: a rock rolling down already has kinetic energy from its movement, a car moving at constant speed has kinetic energy, and a light bulb powered by electricity uses electrical energy, not stored gravitational potential energy. Therefore, the rock at the top of the hill is the example of an object with potential energy.

Potential energy is energy stored because of an object's position in a field, such as gravity. A rock resting at the top of a hill has gravitational potential energy because it sits higher in Earth's gravitational field; if released, gravity can do work on it as it moves downward, converting that stored energy into motion. The other scenarios describe energy that is already in motion or being used: a rock rolling down already has kinetic energy from its movement, a car moving at constant speed has kinetic energy, and a light bulb powered by electricity uses electrical energy, not stored gravitational potential energy. Therefore, the rock at the top of the hill is the example of an object with potential energy.