Final answer:
An example of potential energy is a ball sitting at the top of the stairs
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of potential energy is a ball sitting at the top of the stairs. Potential energy is the energy that is stored in an object due to its position or arrangement. For example, a ball at the top of the stairs has potential energy because of its elevation; it has the potential to roll down the stairs and convert this stored energy into kinetic energy.
Considering two soccer balls of equal mass are kicked with the same speed, one slightly above the horizontal and the other below the vertical, their initial kinetic energy would be the same because kinetic energy depends on mass and speed, both of which are identical for the balls.
However, the change in gravitational potential energy as they reach their highest points will depend on the height they reach. Since potential energy is relative to height, soccer ball A, kicked above the horizontal, will likely reach a higher elevation than ball B kicked below the vertical, giving ball A a greater increase in gravitational potential energy.