With every conservative force there is associated a potential energy, often denoted as V, defined up to an additive constant. The change in potential energy during a time interval is defined to be the negative of the work done by the force during that interval. In detail, the change in V during the time interval from t1≤t≤t2, or equally from position r = p1 to r = p2 is equal to
where v = dr/dt is the velocity of the point of application of the conservative force F. For example, if F = −k(x−l)i, as in Hooke’s law, then , taking the potential energy to be zero when x = l. In problems involving gravity near the Earth’s surface it may be assumed that the gravitational force is given by F =−mgk, and then, taking the potential energy to be zero when z = 0, V = mgz. See also gravitational potential energy.
Potential energy has the dimensions ML2T−2, and the SI unit of measurement is the joule.