2. So the higher an object is above a surface, the more potential energy it has. Think of another example of picking up a brick, as shown in the diagram. Here we are looking at a system consisting of: the arm, the brick and the Earth that pulls on the brick. When the brick was on the floor, it had no potential energy.

3. Potential energy is stored energy; when it's being used, it becomes kinetic energy. Three types of potential energy include: Elastic potential energy, which is the energy stored in something when you push, pull, or force it out of shape: think of rubber bands or springs.