7. List the two types of potential energy and define each. Be sure to include the factors that increase / decrease the amount of potential energy.

Potential energy is a type of energy that is "hidden" in some way. It is a type of energy that can be converted to other forms and often is related to some attractive or pushing forces.

Elastic Potential Energy

Anything that can act like a spring or a rubber band can have elastic potential energy.

Let's take the rubber band for example. To stretch the rubber band you have to use energy. That energy has now been turned into elastic potential energy. To get that energy back, just let go of the rubber band and its potential energy is converted primarily into kinetic energy.

Springs work the same way, but you can either stretch or compress them. Wind-up watches store potential energy in an internal spring when you wind them and slowly use this energy to power the watch.

Gravitational Potential Energy

There is a constant attractive force between the Earth and everything surrounding it, due to gravity.

To lift something off the ground it takes energy, so just by lifting an object, that object now has higher gravitational potential energy.

Gravitational potential energy is typically converted into kinetic energy (an object falling) before it is converted into any other type of energy.

Hydroelectric power is generated this way. As the water falls, it turns a turbine, which pushes electrons around, creating an electric current