3.3.A.1Concept
A system made of two or more objects has potential energy if the objects within it interact with each other only through conservative forces. Gravity and ideal springs qualify. Friction and air resistance do not.
ExampleWhich systems have potential energy?1 / 3
Decide whether each system has a potential energy, and explain. (a) A ball and Earth, interacting through gravity. (b) A block and the rough floor it is sliding across, interacting through kinetic friction. (c) A single ball, far from everything else, moving at constant velocity.
Try it on paper first, then reveal each step to check your work.
Step 1 — (a) Ball and Earth
Gravity is a conservative force, and the system has two objects. Yes: the system has gravitational potential energy.