Potential Energy: Identifying Examples

Potential energy is defined as the stored energy an object possesses due to its position or state. It represents the potential for the object to do work.

Let's examine each option to identify the best example of potential energy:

• A burning candle: This primarily involves chemical energy being converted into thermal and light energy. It's not a static example of potential energy.
• A moving car: This is a direct example of kinetic energy, the energy associated with motion ($KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$).
• A falling rock: A rock at a height possesses gravitational potential energy ($PE = mgh$). However, the act of falling indicates this potential energy is actively converting into kinetic energy.
• A stretched rubber band: This is a clear example of elastic potential energy. Energy is stored within the rubber band due to its deformed (stretched) state. When released, this stored energy converts into kinetic energy.

The stretched rubber band clearly demonstrates stored energy due to its physical state, making it the best representation of potential energy among the given choices.