How is potential energy "stored" in a body?

Question

I know an objects potential energy increases when you do work to it to raise its position, for example, in a gravitation field. But when we say "potential energy" are we talking about real energy, real mass, that can be measured, that has inertia, or rather the absence of energy which will be filled once the object is released and gains the kinetic energy by virtue of its position in the field?

Answer 1

If it gains energy, it must also gain mass by E=mc^2. This is always the case, although you'll be hard pressed to measure it with GPE!

Cheers,

Ben

Answer 2

The answer is in the name "Potential" the body has potential energy due to its position above a certain point given by the equation PE = mgh where m is the mass of the object g is acceleration due to gravity an h is the height above a given reference point. It does not have energy only the potential to release energy if it falls the stated distance.

Example a brick of mass 3 Kg is raised to a height of 3 metres. Energy has been used lifting the object to its position but its energy will only be released when the object falls and hits the reference point where the energy is realised as kinetic energy The mass can be measured, the height can be measured and the force of gravity can be measured.  

Answer 3

here's how i see it, its been ages since i learned about this stuff so i could be wrong but i will be interested to see the other answers:

when you look at the atomic nucleus with all its parts stuck together, it has a lower mass compared to when the particles' masses are measured separately and added up.

when they are stuck together in the nucleus, they are at a higher potential energy as they have been forced closer together, and this is highlighted in the way that some of the mass is converted to potential energy.

so yes, we are talking about real mass, real energy, that can be converted between.

Answer 4

I had tried few online tutoring website and found transwebtutors.com quite interesting,

you may try this one