O_TEXTBLOCK_TEXT When the droid exerts <HL Topic=Force.tpc>FORCE</HL> on the spring and the spring compresses, the droid is doing <HL Topic=Work.tpc>WORK</HL> on the spring. The <HL Topic=Work.tpc>WORK</HL> is stored in the spring as potential energy. As soon as the droid lets go, the spring's potential energy is released and changes to <HL Topic=Kinetic.tpc>KINETIC ENERGY</HL> pushing the droid backward. As the droid comes to a stop, the <HL Topic=Energy.tpc>ENERGY</HL> has not been destroyed, but changed to <HL Topic=Heat.tpc>HEAT</HL>.
E_QUEST1 How does an apple hanging from a tree have potential energy?
E_QUEST2 When you swing on a swing, at what point is all your energy potential energy?
E_QUEST3 When does a rubberband have the most potential energy?
D_TEXTBLOCK_TEXT Potential energy is the <HL Topic=Energy.tpc>ENERGY</HL> that an object has in storage. Potential energy will not do any <HL Topic=Work.tpc>WORK</HL> until it is set free. Once potential energy is released, it becomes <HL Topic=Kinetic.tpc>KINETIC ENERGY</HL>.