It decreases potential energy.

It increases potential energy.

Elastic potential energy is stored in the spring, given by $U_{s} = \frac{1}{2} k(\Delta x)^{2}$

The gravitational potential energy becomes less negative (increases), approaching zero as separation approaches infinity.

Conservative Forces: Work done is path-independent, net work in a closed loop is zero, potential energy can be defined. Non-Conservative Forces: Work done is path-dependent, net work in a closed loop is non-zero, potential energy cannot be defined.

Near Earth's Surface: $$Delta U_{g} = mg\Delta y$$, valid for small changes in height. Point Masses: $$U_{g} = -G \frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r}$$, valid for any separation distance, uses a zero point at infinite separation.

Stable Equilibrium: Local minimum, system returns to equilibrium after a small disturbance, concave up. Unstable Equilibrium: Local maximum, system moves away from equilibrium after a small disturbance, concave down.

Stored energy within a system due to the positions of its components.

A force where the work done is independent of the path taken.

A force that dissipates energy as heat and does not have an associated potential energy.

A state where, if you nudge the system, it returns to its original position; corresponds to a local minimum on the potential energy curve.

A state where, if you nudge the system, it moves away from its original position; corresponds to a local maximum on the potential energy curve.

The potential energy an object has due to its height above a reference point, given by the formula: $\Delta U_{g} = mg\Delta y$