Are potential energy and gravitational potential energy same?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the relationship between potential energy and gravitational potential energy, examining whether they are the same concept and identifying various forms of potential energy.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that gravitational potential energy is a specific type of potential energy.
  • Examples of potential energy mentioned include gravitational potential energy, stored mechanical energy (like that in a compressed spring), chemical energy, and electrical potential energy associated with voltage.
  • One participant questions whether gravitational potential energy and potential energy are proportional to each other, indicating a desire for clarification on their relationship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that gravitational potential energy is a form of potential energy, but there is no consensus on the proportionality between the two concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference various forms of potential energy without fully resolving how they relate to gravitational potential energy, leaving some assumptions and definitions open to interpretation.

Rohit Mallya
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Are potential energy and gravitational potential energy same..??

Are potential energy and gravitational potential energy same..??:confused:
Please help me...!
 
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Rohit Mallya said:
Are potential energy and gravitational potential energy same..??:confused:
Please help me...!

Gravitational potential energy is one form of potential energy. Can you think of some other examples of potential energy?
 


hmm...
Compressed spring...!
water stored in a tank...!
 


Rohit Mallya said:
hmm...
Compressed spring...!
water stored in a tank...!

Correct on the spring. The water's PE is gravitational in nature.

There are still a couple others...
 


other examples..??
 


Rohit Mallya said:
other examples..??

Think!

Think of energy. What forms of energy are there? You've identified gravitational and stored mechanical (spring) energy -- what other ways are there to store energy?
 


chemical energy.
 


Rohit Mallya said:
chemical energy.

Good. The other one I was thinking of is electrical, like the potential energy associated with a voltage.
 


So Sir you mean to tell that gravitational potential energy and potential energy are proportional to each other?
 
  • #10


Rohit Mallya said:
So Sir you mean to tell that gravitational potential energy and potential energy are proportional to each other?

Gravitational potential energy is onve form of potential energy. There are other forms of potential energy, as we've discussed.
 

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