Grade upto college level Mechanics
Can internal energy be considered a special form of potential energy? Why or why not?
Can internal energy be considered a special form of potential energy? Why or why not?
1 Answer
Deepak Patra
Yes, internal energy can be considered as a special form of potential energy.
Potential energy is the energy acquired by a body due to change in its position or its configuration. Internal energy is the sum of the kinetic energy associated with the random motions of the atoms or molecules. It is associated with the forces between the atoms or molecules. So, the internal energy of a system includes the microscopic kinetic and potential energies of the atoms or molecules of the system. Therefore, internal energy is the special form of potential energy.
Potential energy is the energy acquired by a body due to change in its position or its configuration. Internal energy is the sum of the kinetic energy associated with the random motions of the atoms or molecules. It is associated with the forces between the atoms or molecules. So, the internal energy of a system includes the microscopic kinetic and potential energies of the atoms or molecules of the system. Therefore, internal energy is the special form of potential energy.
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