Potential

Capacity of a system to perform work.

potential energy

A measurable physical quantity representing the capacity of a system to perform work, often associated with energy stored due to position or configuration.

From Old French potentiel, from Latin potentia 'power', from potens 'having power'.

Potential is like having energy stored up - it's the ability to do something, like a stretched rubber band ready to snap or water held behind a dam.

What is potential? It's the ability to do work or produce an effect
What does 'potential energy' mean? It's energy stored due to position or condition, like a ball held high
How is potential different from 'kinetic'? Potential is stored energy
kinetic is energy in motion

possibility capability

likelihood prospect

physics scientific concept