What is the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy?

Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or configuration, while kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or configuration. It is the energy that an object has stored within it, waiting to be released. The amount of potential energy an object has depends on its position relative to a reference point, as well as its mass and the strength of the force acting on it. The formula for potential energy is given by PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object above the reference point.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is the energy that an object has as a result of its velocity. The amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on its mass and velocity. The formula for kinetic energy is given by KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.

The main difference between potential energy and kinetic energy is that potential energy is energy that is stored within an object, while kinetic energy is energy that is being used by an object in motion. Another way to think about it is that potential energy is energy that an object has the potential to use, while kinetic energy is energy that an object is currently using.