Which has the least potential energy?

To determine which object has the least potential energy, we must consider the factors that affect potential energy. The two main types of potential energy we usually discuss are gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.

Gravitational potential energy is dependent on the height of an object above a reference point, the mass of the object, and the acceleration due to gravity. The formula for calculating gravitational potential energy (PE) is:

PE = m * g * h

Where: - m is the mass of the object - g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth) - h is the height of the object above the reference point

Elastic potential energy is stored in objects that can be stretched or compressed, such as springs or rubber bands. The formula for elastic potential energy (also using PE to represent potential energy) depends on the spring constant (k) and the deformation of the spring (x), which is the distance from its equilibrium position:

PE = 1/2 * k * x²

With both types of potential energy, if you reduce the mass, height (for gravitational potential energy), or deformation (for elastic potential energy), you reduce the potential energy. Therefore, out of a set of objects, the one with the smallest mass, or at the lowest height above the reference point, or with the least deformation from its equilibrium position (in the case of an elastic object), will have the least potential energy.

However, if you are comparing objects with different types of potential energy or you don't have enough information regarding their mass, height, or other relevant properties, you cannot determine which has the least potential energy without more data.