An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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1) The energy that an object possesses because of its position in a → gravitational field, especially an object near the surface of the Earth where the → gravitational acceleration can be assumed to be constant, at about 9.8 m s^-2.
2) In a two body system. It is the amount of work done in bringing the mass m to the distance R from M: E_P = -GMm/R, where G is the → gravitational constant.
3) For a uniform sphere. It is E_P = -(3/5)GM²/R, where G is the gravitational constant and M is the mass contained in the sphere of radius R.

→ gravitational; → potential; → energy.

Of a system, the work done in changing the system from some standard configuration to its present state. Thus, if a body of mass m is raised vertically through a height h, the work done, mgh, is the increase in potential energy.

→ potential; → energy.

A plot that displays the → potential energy of a moving body as a function of its position. It is explained by the → conservation of energy and the conversion of potential energy into → kinetic energy and vice versa.

→ potential; → energy; → curve.