Can we harness potential energy?Why can't we harness gravity?Storing kinetic energy instead of potential...
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Can we harness potential energy?
Why can't we harness gravity?Storing kinetic energy instead of potential energy - practically possible?How does escape velocity relate to energy and speed?Conceptual Question on Work and Potential EnergyWhere is the potential energy saved?Potential energyDifference between electric potential energy and electrostatic potential energy?Elastic potential energyElectric potential and electric potential energy definitionsDefining magenetic field potential energy in inductorSuperconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)
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I'm following this question that was closed as unclear. I think the OP meant the potential energy.
There are skyscrapers sitting there and pushing on the ground with tremendous weight. Is it possible to convert this weight/force to harness energy to power the building?
Maybe, build the building on top of some type of pendulum that will rotate under the pressure and when one cycle of rotation reaches the equilibrium point we could give it a kick from the stored energy of the same source to continue rotation.
Was something like this created or tested and found useless?
Note: maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
potential-energy energy-storage
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I'm following this question that was closed as unclear. I think the OP meant the potential energy.
There are skyscrapers sitting there and pushing on the ground with tremendous weight. Is it possible to convert this weight/force to harness energy to power the building?
Maybe, build the building on top of some type of pendulum that will rotate under the pressure and when one cycle of rotation reaches the equilibrium point we could give it a kick from the stored energy of the same source to continue rotation.
Was something like this created or tested and found useless?
Note: maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
potential-energy energy-storage
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I'm following this question that was closed as unclear. I think the OP meant the potential energy.
There are skyscrapers sitting there and pushing on the ground with tremendous weight. Is it possible to convert this weight/force to harness energy to power the building?
Maybe, build the building on top of some type of pendulum that will rotate under the pressure and when one cycle of rotation reaches the equilibrium point we could give it a kick from the stored energy of the same source to continue rotation.
Was something like this created or tested and found useless?
Note: maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
potential-energy energy-storage
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
$endgroup$
I'm following this question that was closed as unclear. I think the OP meant the potential energy.
There are skyscrapers sitting there and pushing on the ground with tremendous weight. Is it possible to convert this weight/force to harness energy to power the building?
Maybe, build the building on top of some type of pendulum that will rotate under the pressure and when one cycle of rotation reaches the equilibrium point we could give it a kick from the stored energy of the same source to continue rotation.
Was something like this created or tested and found useless?
Note: maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
potential-energy energy-storage
potential-energy energy-storage
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
edited 1 hour ago
Grasper
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
asked 2 hours ago
GrasperGrasper
1415
1415
$begingroup$
Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In classical mechanics, absolute values of potential energy ant meaningless. In your case of a skyscraper just sitting there, we could say it has a large positive amount of potential energy, no potential energy, or even negative potential energy. It doesn't matter at all. What is important is a change in potential energy.
is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
Based on what is said above, you would need to decrease the potential energy of the building and find a way to harness that change in potential energy. The issue is that, for gravity, the potential energy just depends on the distance from the Earth, so this would mean that you would have to move the building (or parts of the building) closer to the Earth. The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time, so I don't see this being feasible.
To see how gravitational potential energy can be converted to other types of energy in other systems, see some of the other posted answers.
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An example of harnessing gravitational potential energy is a hydroelectric power plant which converts the potential energy of water falls, dams and the like into electrical energy.
As far as harnessing the potential energy of a building sitting on the ground, I suppose if you caused the building to topple you could harness the energy of the falling portions of the building. Obviously ridiculous.
All practical examples of harnessing potential energy involve its conversion to kinetic energy.Hope this helps.
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Simply No. If you could generate energy simply from the potential energy of the building, induced by gravity, without somehow permanently decreasing that energy, you would build some sort of perpetuum mobile.
If you would gain usable energy (like an electrical current) out of the potential energy of the building, without reducing the mass of the building and without altering the gravitational field, you would have created energy out of nothing, but energy is conserved.
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
By convention, potential energy (which can be mechanical, gravitational, chemical, electromagnetic or nuclear) refers to energy stored in a field (electromagnetic field, gravitational field, gluon field etc.). This energy must be converted into kinetic energy in order to be "harnessed" or do work. For example, you can convert potential energy into:
- kinetic energy of an arrow, a pendulum or a pipe full of water
- heat energy (which at a molecular scale is just kinetic energy again)
- an electric current (moving electrons, so kinetic energy again)
- energetic neutrons and other products of fission or fusion (kinetic energy again)
So you can harness potential energy, but only indirectly.
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In classical mechanics, absolute values of potential energy ant meaningless. In your case of a skyscraper just sitting there, we could say it has a large positive amount of potential energy, no potential energy, or even negative potential energy. It doesn't matter at all. What is important is a change in potential energy.
is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
Based on what is said above, you would need to decrease the potential energy of the building and find a way to harness that change in potential energy. The issue is that, for gravity, the potential energy just depends on the distance from the Earth, so this would mean that you would have to move the building (or parts of the building) closer to the Earth. The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time, so I don't see this being feasible.
To see how gravitational potential energy can be converted to other types of energy in other systems, see some of the other posted answers.
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In classical mechanics, absolute values of potential energy ant meaningless. In your case of a skyscraper just sitting there, we could say it has a large positive amount of potential energy, no potential energy, or even negative potential energy. It doesn't matter at all. What is important is a change in potential energy.
is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
Based on what is said above, you would need to decrease the potential energy of the building and find a way to harness that change in potential energy. The issue is that, for gravity, the potential energy just depends on the distance from the Earth, so this would mean that you would have to move the building (or parts of the building) closer to the Earth. The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time, so I don't see this being feasible.
To see how gravitational potential energy can be converted to other types of energy in other systems, see some of the other posted answers.
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In classical mechanics, absolute values of potential energy ant meaningless. In your case of a skyscraper just sitting there, we could say it has a large positive amount of potential energy, no potential energy, or even negative potential energy. It doesn't matter at all. What is important is a change in potential energy.
is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
Based on what is said above, you would need to decrease the potential energy of the building and find a way to harness that change in potential energy. The issue is that, for gravity, the potential energy just depends on the distance from the Earth, so this would mean that you would have to move the building (or parts of the building) closer to the Earth. The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time, so I don't see this being feasible.
To see how gravitational potential energy can be converted to other types of energy in other systems, see some of the other posted answers.
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
$endgroup$
In classical mechanics, absolute values of potential energy ant meaningless. In your case of a skyscraper just sitting there, we could say it has a large positive amount of potential energy, no potential energy, or even negative potential energy. It doesn't matter at all. What is important is a change in potential energy.
is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
Based on what is said above, you would need to decrease the potential energy of the building and find a way to harness that change in potential energy. The issue is that, for gravity, the potential energy just depends on the distance from the Earth, so this would mean that you would have to move the building (or parts of the building) closer to the Earth. The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time, so I don't see this being feasible.
To see how gravitational potential energy can be converted to other types of energy in other systems, see some of the other posted answers.
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
answered 1 hour ago
Aaron StevensAaron Stevens
11.4k31845
11.4k31845
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
1
1
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
$begingroup$
+1 for "The utility of buildings is typically that they remain stationary so people can use them consistently and for a long time".
$endgroup$
– dbmag9
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An example of harnessing gravitational potential energy is a hydroelectric power plant which converts the potential energy of water falls, dams and the like into electrical energy.
As far as harnessing the potential energy of a building sitting on the ground, I suppose if you caused the building to topple you could harness the energy of the falling portions of the building. Obviously ridiculous.
All practical examples of harnessing potential energy involve its conversion to kinetic energy.Hope this helps.
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An example of harnessing gravitational potential energy is a hydroelectric power plant which converts the potential energy of water falls, dams and the like into electrical energy.
As far as harnessing the potential energy of a building sitting on the ground, I suppose if you caused the building to topple you could harness the energy of the falling portions of the building. Obviously ridiculous.
All practical examples of harnessing potential energy involve its conversion to kinetic energy.Hope this helps.
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An example of harnessing gravitational potential energy is a hydroelectric power plant which converts the potential energy of water falls, dams and the like into electrical energy.
As far as harnessing the potential energy of a building sitting on the ground, I suppose if you caused the building to topple you could harness the energy of the falling portions of the building. Obviously ridiculous.
All practical examples of harnessing potential energy involve its conversion to kinetic energy.Hope this helps.
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
$endgroup$
An example of harnessing gravitational potential energy is a hydroelectric power plant which converts the potential energy of water falls, dams and the like into electrical energy.
As far as harnessing the potential energy of a building sitting on the ground, I suppose if you caused the building to topple you could harness the energy of the falling portions of the building. Obviously ridiculous.
All practical examples of harnessing potential energy involve its conversion to kinetic energy.Hope this helps.
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
edited 1 hour ago
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
answered 1 hour ago
Bob DBob D
3,1632215
3,1632215
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Simply No. If you could generate energy simply from the potential energy of the building, induced by gravity, without somehow permanently decreasing that energy, you would build some sort of perpetuum mobile.
If you would gain usable energy (like an electrical current) out of the potential energy of the building, without reducing the mass of the building and without altering the gravitational field, you would have created energy out of nothing, but energy is conserved.
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Simply No. If you could generate energy simply from the potential energy of the building, induced by gravity, without somehow permanently decreasing that energy, you would build some sort of perpetuum mobile.
If you would gain usable energy (like an electrical current) out of the potential energy of the building, without reducing the mass of the building and without altering the gravitational field, you would have created energy out of nothing, but energy is conserved.
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Simply No. If you could generate energy simply from the potential energy of the building, induced by gravity, without somehow permanently decreasing that energy, you would build some sort of perpetuum mobile.
If you would gain usable energy (like an electrical current) out of the potential energy of the building, without reducing the mass of the building and without altering the gravitational field, you would have created energy out of nothing, but energy is conserved.
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
$endgroup$
Simply No. If you could generate energy simply from the potential energy of the building, induced by gravity, without somehow permanently decreasing that energy, you would build some sort of perpetuum mobile.
If you would gain usable energy (like an electrical current) out of the potential energy of the building, without reducing the mass of the building and without altering the gravitational field, you would have created energy out of nothing, but energy is conserved.
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
answered 2 hours ago
Patrik PuchertPatrik Puchert
112
112
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Isn't gravitational force a perpetuum mobile? or at least it has the potential to be.
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper How so? You only get energy from the gravity by moving closer together. At some point, you can't get any closer and the energy doesn't increase.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@JMac because gravity is always there available?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper But the objects aren't always apart. You can extract some energy from the system; but in extracting that energy you remove potential energy from the system; which you can only do a finite amount until there is no potential left. In a perfect isolated system with no loss, you in theory could have it move forever without energy exchange. Wikipedia calls that "perpetual motion of the third kind", and it's still not possible in practice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion#Classification
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
By convention, potential energy (which can be mechanical, gravitational, chemical, electromagnetic or nuclear) refers to energy stored in a field (electromagnetic field, gravitational field, gluon field etc.). This energy must be converted into kinetic energy in order to be "harnessed" or do work. For example, you can convert potential energy into:
- kinetic energy of an arrow, a pendulum or a pipe full of water
- heat energy (which at a molecular scale is just kinetic energy again)
- an electric current (moving electrons, so kinetic energy again)
- energetic neutrons and other products of fission or fusion (kinetic energy again)
So you can harness potential energy, but only indirectly.
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
By convention, potential energy (which can be mechanical, gravitational, chemical, electromagnetic or nuclear) refers to energy stored in a field (electromagnetic field, gravitational field, gluon field etc.). This energy must be converted into kinetic energy in order to be "harnessed" or do work. For example, you can convert potential energy into:
- kinetic energy of an arrow, a pendulum or a pipe full of water
- heat energy (which at a molecular scale is just kinetic energy again)
- an electric current (moving electrons, so kinetic energy again)
- energetic neutrons and other products of fission or fusion (kinetic energy again)
So you can harness potential energy, but only indirectly.
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
By convention, potential energy (which can be mechanical, gravitational, chemical, electromagnetic or nuclear) refers to energy stored in a field (electromagnetic field, gravitational field, gluon field etc.). This energy must be converted into kinetic energy in order to be "harnessed" or do work. For example, you can convert potential energy into:
- kinetic energy of an arrow, a pendulum or a pipe full of water
- heat energy (which at a molecular scale is just kinetic energy again)
- an electric current (moving electrons, so kinetic energy again)
- energetic neutrons and other products of fission or fusion (kinetic energy again)
So you can harness potential energy, but only indirectly.
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
$endgroup$
By convention, potential energy (which can be mechanical, gravitational, chemical, electromagnetic or nuclear) refers to energy stored in a field (electromagnetic field, gravitational field, gluon field etc.). This energy must be converted into kinetic energy in order to be "harnessed" or do work. For example, you can convert potential energy into:
- kinetic energy of an arrow, a pendulum or a pipe full of water
- heat energy (which at a molecular scale is just kinetic energy again)
- an electric current (moving electrons, so kinetic energy again)
- energetic neutrons and other products of fission or fusion (kinetic energy again)
So you can harness potential energy, but only indirectly.
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
answered 1 hour ago
gandalf61gandalf61
29915
29915
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
I understand this, maybe my question should be is it possible to convert the potential energy of a building into a kinetic?
$endgroup$
– Grasper
1 hour ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@Grasper Sure. A few well placed explosive charges will convert the potential energy of a building into kinetic energy for a short period, before this kinetic energy is used to break a lot of chemical bonds. I believe there are videos of the phenomena available on YouTube :) But if you want to convert some of the kinetic energy back to potential energy afterwards then you have to design a building that will bounce.
$endgroup$
– gandalf61
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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Potential energy IS stored mechanical energy. In the case of your pendulum, that stored mechanical energy gets transferred to kinetic energy as the pendulum moves... How do you "capture" the mechanical energy being transferred into kinetic energy?
$endgroup$
– N. Steinle
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@AaronStevens That seems like it could be a complete answer.
$endgroup$
– JMac
1 hour ago