In this article, we will see the difference between the potential energy and potential difference.
The potential energy is the energy stored in the system whereas the potential difference is the difference between the potential at two points.
Potential Energy Vs Potential Difference
| Potential Energy | Potential Difference |
| Potential energy is the energy acquired and stored by the body. | A potential difference is a difference between the potential energy of the body at two different points. |
| Electric potential energy is the energy required to do the work per unit charge in bringing a charged particle from infinity to a point. | Electric potential is a difference between electric potential energy in displacing a charge of 1C from infinity to source. |
| The gravitational potential energy is the energy required to displace the unit mass from one point to another. | The gravitational potential difference is the work done in moving the unit mass |
| Potential energy increases by raising the object to height. | It is a difference between the potential energies of the object at two different heights. |
| It is the energy acquired by the elastic material by either compressing or stretching the material. | It is a difference between the potential energy stored by the material at two different lengths of compression or stretching. |
| Electric potential energy depends upon the magnitude of two charged particles. | It is a difference in the potential of a single particle at two different points. |
| It is measured in Joules | It is measured in Volts or Joule/Coulomb |
| The particles in nature always tend to occupy the least potential energy state. | The potential difference can be more or less depending upon the work done. |
| The potential energy is negative in case the force is attractive. | The potential difference is always positive. |
Some Facts on Potential and Potential Energy
- The energy acquired by the system due to the varying potential between the two positions on the system is potential energy.
- The object at a certain height above the ground, having its own potential energy decreases with the distance as it approaches the ground.
- The gravitational potential energy of the Earth tends to pull the objects towards the center of the gravity of Earth, decreasing the potential energy of the object converting it into kinetic energy while approaching towards the ground.
- In an atom, a region with the least potential exists near the nucleus, and electrons in an atom tend to be near the nucleus attaining the low potential energy.
- Once the electron built enough potential energy it becomes unstable and jumps into a higher energy level, releasing its energy falls back to the lower energy level of the atom.
- Potential energy is available in 5 main different categories; gravitational, electrical, nuclear, elastic and chemical.
- Electric charges move from the higher potential level to the lower potential level after transmitting their energy to a higher energy state on exciting.
- In the case of capacitors, the potential difference is generated due to the separation of the opposite charge carrier plates, due to the separation of the plates the potential energy is stored inside the capacitor to do the work.
- Potential energy on the close loop conductor is always zero.
- In elastic materials, the potential energy can be stored by either stretching or compressing.
Let us evaluate the potential energy and potential difference relationship of some fundamental forces in nature:-
Gravitational Potential Energy and Potential Difference
The potential energy is the energy required to displace the unit mass from one point to another. The potential energy associated with the object due to gravity is given by the relation
U=mgh
Since, the weight of the object due to the gravity on the earth becomes the product of the mass of the object and its acceleration due to gravity which is constant, the only variable is the height. Hence, the potential energy of the object mainly varies depending upon the rise and fall of the object from above the ground. As the object opposes the gravitational pull of the Earth increasing the distance of separation between the ground and the object, it starts gaining its own potential.
The gravitational potential difference is the work done in moving the unit mass and is given by
ΔU=Work/m
We have seen above that the only variable quantity is the height of the object from above the ground
ΔU=mg/Δh
Where Δh is the change in height
ΔU is the potential difference
Since the gravitational force between the two objects having mass M and m separated by the distance ‘r’ is given by
F=G*(Mm)/r2
The work done on the objects due to gravity
Work=∫F.dr
Work =-GMm/r2
Since the potential difference is the work done per unit mass
Read more on gravitational potential energy.
Electric Potential Energy and Potential Difference
Electric potential energy is the energy required to bring the charged particle from infinity to the point of consideration. This is equal to the work done on the particle in bringing the unit charge.
Consider two point charges of charge q1 and q2 separated by a distance ‘r’ between them.
The force acting between the two charges q1 and q2 is equal to
The work is done in bringing the charge q1 at point ‘s’ to a distance r2. Work is the force required to displace the charge q1 to a distance r2.
Work =Force*displacement
Therefore the work done on the particle to displace it from r1 to r2 is
Work done is equal to the potential energy of the charge.
The difference between the potential energy between the two points is the potential difference resulting due to the action of work.
Electric potential is a potential energy per unit charge; given by the relation
V=U/q
Where V is a potential
U is potential energy
q is a charge
Implies U=qV
Therefore, from above relation, electric potential will be equal to
Elastic Potential Energy and Potential Difference
When the elastic material is stretched or compressed, it gains potential energy. The amount of potential energy acquired depends upon the change in the length of the material. The static potential energy of the elastic component is given by
U=(1/2)kx2
Where k is an elastic constant and x is a displacement due to stretching or compression.
The potential difference is the difference between the potential energy stored in the object by the change in the position of the object or the load applied to stretch or compress the object.
Therefore, the potential difference is measured as
ΔU=(1/2)kΔx2
Where Δx=x2-x1
SI Units
The SI unit of potential energy is Joules. SI unit for gravitational potential energy is N.m/kg. Whereas, the SI units of potential difference is Volts also written as Joule per Coulomb J/C. One volt is equal to 1 J of energy per to displace a unit charge of 1C.
Read more on What Affect Potential Energy: Detailed Facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Calculate the work done by the charge of 2C to displace from point A to point B having a potential difference of 10 Volts.
Given:
Charge Q=2C
Potential difference V=10V
V=W\Q
=>W=QV
=2C*10V=20 J
Q2. The potential energy of the ball at height 2m is 4J. If the ball is thrown in the air. Calculate the potential difference of the ball attaining a height of 10m above the ground.
The potential energy of the ball at a height is 1J.
Therefore, the mass of the ball is 204 grams.
On reaching the height of 10m, the potential energy of the ball becomes
U=mgh=0.204*9.8*10=20J
Hence, the potential difference is
Δ=U2-U1=10-4=6
What is nuclear potential energy?
The nucleus comprises protons and neutrons, thus adding a positive charge to the nucleus and hence electrons tend to remain towards the nucleus.
It is potential energy that keeps the neutrons and protons bonded in the nucleus. During nuclear fusion, the nucleus gains energy while on nuclear fission nucleus gives out energy along with the products.
What is chemical potential energy?
Chemical potential energy is the energy acquired by molecular bonds.
During the exothermic reactions, the bonds break, and energy is released, while in endothermic reactions the energy is acquired from the surroundings to make new bonds.
Also Read:
- Example of electrical energy to radiant energy
- Example of mechanical to electrical energy
- Gravitational energy examples
- Mechanical energy to kinetic energy
- Is kinetic energy conserved in an elastic collision
- Is energy a vector quantity
- Example of mechanical energy to chemical energy
- Does velocity affect potential energy
- Relationship between potential energy and distance
- Example of kinetic to sound energy
Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.
