While potential energy is non-related to
the environment of the object, kinetic energy is completely relative to
the other moving or stationary objects in the environment. If an object
is moving in an environment where other objects are moving too, the
acceleration of the object will not be evident at all.
The word ‘kinetic’ comes from the Greek word ‘kinesis’ meaning motion.
The word ‘potential’ to define energy was coined by Scottish physicist
William Rankine in the 19th century. Kinetic energy can also be passed
from one moving object to another when a collision or contact takes
place. This is not the case in potential energy
Potential energy is also known as ‘restoring energy’ as it tends to
force an object to return to its original state of rest. Potential
energy works against any displacement force so, for example, when an
object is lifted, it tries to return to its original state of rest
through the gravitational force. The energy that the object possessed
while moving was kinetic energy and once the object returns to its state
of rest, the energy is transformed into potential energy.
Comparison chart
| Kinetic Energy | Potential Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles in the system. | Potential Energy is the stored energy in an object or system because of its position or configuration. |
| Relation to environment | Kinetic energy of an object is relative to other moving and stationary objects in its immediate environment. | Potential energy is not relative to the environment of an object. |
| Transferability | Kinetic energy can be transferred from one moving object to another, say, in collisions. | Potential energy cannot be transferred. |
| Examples | Flowing water, such as when falling from a waterfall. | Water at the top of a waterfall, before the precipice. |
| SI Unit | Joule (J) | Joule (J) |
| Determining factors | Speed/velocity and mass | Height or distance and mass |
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