ES: Does a Engine At Idle Have Potential Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether an engine at idle possesses potential energy, specifically in the context of an airplane ready for takeoff. Participants explore the nature of potential energy, including chemical potential energy in fuel and mechanical potential energy related to the engine.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if an engine at idle has potential energy, particularly in relation to an airplane on the runway.
  • Another participant asserts that the chemical potential energy in the fuel is a form of potential energy present in the system.
  • A further response clarifies that while chemical potential energy exists in the fuel, mechanical potential energy may not be present if the reference point is ground level, depending on the chosen reference location.
  • There is a distinction made between the fuel and the engine, emphasizing that they are different objects unless considering fuel within the engine.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the types of potential energy present, particularly regarding the distinction between chemical and mechanical potential energy. There is no consensus on the overall question of whether an engine at idle has potential energy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on reference locations for defining potential energy, as well as the distinction between different forms of potential energy (chemical vs. mechanical). There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions and implications of potential energy in this context.

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Hello, Curious to know, does an engine at idle have potential energy? For instance would an airplane sitting at the end of a runway at idle ready for takeoff have potential energy?

Thanks
P
 
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Yes, it's the chemical potential energy in the fuel.

Hit the gas-->Burn fuel-->Break chemical bonds-->VROOOM!
 
Tom Mattson said:
Yes, it's the chemical potential energy in the fuel.

Hit the gas-->Burn fuel-->Break chemical bonds-->VROOOM!
The fuel is quite a different object than an engine unless you're talking about the fuel that is already inside the engine.

There is no meaning to an absolute potential for anything. Only differences of potential have meaning. Normally a reference location is chosen and the difference with respect to that reference point is said to be the potential of the object with respect to that location.

Discounting the fuel there is no mechanical potential energy if the reference location is chosen to be ground level (discounting height about runway that is). I don't recall anything inside an airplane engine which can be referred to as mechanical potential. But as Tom said there is chemical potential energy in the fuel.

Pete
 
pmb_phy said:
The fuel is quite a different object than an engine unless you're talking about the fuel that is already inside the engine.

Yes, that's what I mean.
 

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