Description: Kinetic and potential energy can be calculated using equations. 
Key Terms: Kinetic energy, velocity, momentum, conserved energy, work, chemical potential energy, gravitational potential energy, gravitational acceleration

An object may store energy by virtue of its position. The energy that is stored and held in readiness is called potential energy (PE) because in the stored state it has the potential for doing work. A stretched or compressed spring, for example, has the potential for doing work. When a bow is drawn, energy is stored in the bow. The bow can do work on the arrow. A stretched rubber band has potential energy because of the relative position of its parts. If the rubber band is part of a slingshot, it is capable of doing work.

The chemical energy in fuels is also potential energy. It is actually energy of position at the submicroscopic level. This energy is available when the positions of electric charges within and between molecules are altered—that is, when a chemical change occurs. Any substance that can do work through chemical action possesses potential energy. Potential energy is found in fossil fuels, electric batteries, and the foods we consume.