Is potential energy a Force?

Question

Yes, I know its a dumb question!

Answer 1

There is a great deal of difference between force and energy. An obvious difference is the units. Force makes use of newtons (N), while energy makes use of joule (J).

Force is the product of mass and acceleration. Energy is the product of force and distance (force over a certain distance... take note that "over" here does not refer to division).

Is potential energy a force? No. Gravitational potential energy is the result of a force called weight acting over the height of the body from a reference point. Elastic potential energy is the result of an elastic force acting over the stretched distance.

Hope that helps :)