科技大爆炸

1 英语原意

势能：Potential Energy

Potential energy in physics is the energy that an object possesses as a result of its position. The term Potential Energy was first introduced by a well-known physicist William Rankine, in the 19th century. Gravitational Potential Energy, the elastic potential energy of an elastic spring, and the electric potential energy of an electric charge present in an electric field are all commonly used types of potential energy. In general, the work done by the force on an object for making it acquire a specific position is stored as the potential energy of that object.

物理学中的势能是物体因其位置而拥有的能量。势能一词最早是由著名物理学家威廉·兰金（William Rankine）在19世纪提出的。重力势能、弹性弹簧的弹性势能和电场中存在的电荷的电势能都是常用的势能类型。通常，力对物体所做的使物体获得特定位置的功被存储为该物体的势能。

Potential energy is defined as the energy stored by an object due to its arrangement, state or position. Potential energy is different from kinetic energy in many ways like, kinetic energy is the energy of the motion of an object, while potential energy is the stored energy of the object.

势能被定义为物体因其排列、状态或位置而存储的能量。势能在许多方面与动能不同，例如，动能是物体运动的能量，而势能是物体的储存能量。

The image given below tells us about how the potential energy of the cyclist changes to kinetic as he reaches the ground.

下图告诉我们骑自行车的人在到达地面时势能如何变为动能。

2 Potential 英语单词的含义

potential adjective

possible when the necessary conditions exist

潜在的，可能的

• A number of potential buyers have expressed interest in the company.
  一些潜在的买主表达了对该公司的兴趣。
• Many potential customers are waiting for a fall in prices before buying.
  很多潜在的顾客都在等着降价再购买。
• The accident is a grim reminder of the potential dangers involved in North Sea oil production.
  该事故残酷地提醒人们北海石油生产可能会出现的危险。

potential noun [U] (ABILITY)

someone's or something's ability to develop, achieve, or succeed

潜力，潜能

• The region has enormous potential for economic development.
  该地区经济发展潜力巨大。
• I don't feel I'm achieving my full potential in my present job.
  我觉得目前的工作没有完全发挥我的潜力。
• You have the potential to reach the top of your profession.
  你有潜力达到事业的顶峰。
• I think this room has got a lot of potential (= could be very nice if some changes were made to it).
  我觉得这个房间有很多可改进之处。

potential no势能（potential energy）是储存于一个系统内的能量，也可以释放或者转化为其他形式的能量。势能是状态量，又称作位能。势能不是属于单独物体所具有的，而是相互作用的物体所共有。

potential  noun [U] (IN PHYSICS)

the amount of electricity passing through an electric circuit, measured in volts

电势（电路中通过的电量，以伏特为单位）

3 势能 中文含义

势能（potential energy）是储存于一个系统内的能量，也可以释放或者转化为其他形式的能量。势能是状态量，又称作位能。势能不是属于单独物体所具有的，而是相互作用的物体所共有。

4 心得体会

Potential energy，潜在的能量。中文翻译成势能，这里的"势"指的的时势力的意思吗？

参考文献：

• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/potential-energy/