Potential energy is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the energy stored within a physical system due to its position, configuration, or state. Unlike kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion, potential energy represents the capacity to do work. Its magnitude is determined by the conservative forces acting upon the system, such as gravitational force, elastic force, or electric force. The calculation of this stored energy typically involves determining the work done by a force when the object moves from one point to another within a defined force field. Common examples include gravitational potential energy, which depends on an object's height and the force of gravity, and elastic potential energy, which relates to the deformation of an object like a spring.