主要区别-重力势能与弹性势能

重力势能和弹性势能是粒子能具有的两种不同形式的能量。引力势能和弹性势能的主要区别在于，引力势能的来源是作用在两个大质量物体之间的引力，而弹性势能的来源是组成物质的分子之间的静电力。

什么是重力势能(gravitational potential energy)？

重力势能是物体由于其在重力场中的位置而产生的能量。引力势能总是相对的：它是物体在引力场中不同点上的能量的比较。

Imagine lifting an object with mass  through a height of  in a uniform gravitational field. The weight of the object is given by  . If the object is lifted at a c***tant speed so that all the work done from lifting the object is given to the object as gravitational potential energy, we can calculate the gain in gravitational potential energy of the body due to its rise. Since the object is lifted at a c***tant speed, the forces are balanced and lifting force would be  . Since the object is raised through a height  , the work done is given by  . This means that the gain in gravitational potential energy is given by:

什么是弹性势能(elastic potential energy)？

如果物体发生物理变形，它就会获得弹性势能。当物体变形时，形成材料的分子被迫离开平衡位置。如果材料是有弹性的，那么分子就会试图回到它们的平衡位置。这使材料具有做功的能力。因此，当弹性材料变形时，我们说材料具有弹性势能。例如，弹性势能是由弹簧/橡皮筋拉伸时获得的。

Rubber bands, when stretched, gain potential energy

Springs: at rest, compressed and extended

考虑压缩/延伸弹簧。弹簧变形越大，使其进一步变形所需的力就越大。力随延伸而增加：

Force vs. extension graph for an elastic material

The work done on the spring is given by the area under the force vs. extension graph. In this case, the area is given by  . According to Hooke’s law,  so the total work done to compress or extend the spring by  is  , where  is the spring c***tant of the spring. If there are no other forces, then all the work done on the spring would be converted to elastic potential energy in the spring. Then,

重力势能(gravitational potential energy)和弹性势能(elastic potential energy)的区别

定义：

重力势能是物体由于其在重力场中的位置而产生的能量。

弹性势能是材料变形后获得的能量。

它是如何形成的：

重力势能来源于质量之间的引力。

弹性势能是由于构成材料的原子和分子之间的静电排斥作用而产生的。

什么是做：(does:)？

重力势能试图把物体的质心拉得尽可能近。

弹性势能试图使组成物体的原子和分子保持一定的间距，使这些粒子保持平衡。

Image Courtesy:

Untitled image by Booyabazooka at PublicDomainPictures [Public Domain], via Pixabay