Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Potential Energy refers to stored energy in an object due to its position or arrangement. In chemistry, molecules have potential energy based on their structure and composition.
This is active motion-energy rather than stored-up potential; think about when you release that arrow – it now has kinetic instead of potential energy!
Chemical Potential Energy: This specific type refers directly to how much stored-up power a molecule has due to its chemical structure, like how tightly you've pulled back the arrow on your bow.
Gravitational Potential Energy: This is energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. It's like holding that arrow up high - it has more potential energy because gravity can pull it down.