In basic Physics, one defines energy in terms of what it can do - it has the capacity to do work.
Work is done when a force moves, so energy can produce a force and, importantly, move that force.
The energy does not have to move the force directly. For example, heat energy can be used to boil water to produce steam at high pressure and that can be used to move a piston in a steam locomotive.
Potential energy is energy waiting to produce a moving force. For example, a stretched piece of elastic held between your fingers, a rock held above your head. That potential energy changes to kinetic energy when the force is alowed to move - when you let go of one end of the elastic or release the rock (you can guess what happens next!)
In an electric motor, the electrical energy produces a force on electrons in a wire that makes them move to produce a magnetic field. That magnetic field produces a force against another magnet and the motor turns as a result. (it's a bit more complex in practice, but that is the basic idea.)
many different ways - for example a mass suspended on a rope wound around a pulley - when the mass is released it falls losing PE and gaing KE as it speeds up - thus making the pulley spin round (KE) which could be linked to a generator etc.
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In basic Physics, one defines energy in terms of what it can do - it has the capacity to do work.
Work is done when a force moves, so energy can produce a force and, importantly, move that force.
The energy does not have to move the force directly. For example, heat energy can be used to boil water to produce steam at high pressure and that can be used to move a piston in a steam locomotive.
Potential energy is energy waiting to produce a moving force. For example, a stretched piece of elastic held between your fingers, a rock held above your head. That potential energy changes to kinetic energy when the force is alowed to move - when you let go of one end of the elastic or release the rock (you can guess what happens next!)
In an electric motor, the electrical energy produces a force on electrons in a wire that makes them move to produce a magnetic field. That magnetic field produces a force against another magnet and the motor turns as a result. (it's a bit more complex in practice, but that is the basic idea.)
potential energy automatically is transferred into kinetic energy unless there is a barrier. removal of the barrier allows the transfer.
i.e. i drop a ball i am holding = the potential energy of the ball is converted into kinetic energy until it runs into a new barrier (i.e. the ground)
i push a bowling ball that rolls down a hill = the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy unti the ball rolls into something.
You kicking a soccer ball The kinetic (stored)energy in your foot sends the ball flying when you release it(hit it).
many different ways - for example a mass suspended on a rope wound around a pulley - when the mass is released it falls losing PE and gaing KE as it speeds up - thus making the pulley spin round (KE) which could be linked to a generator etc.
for example dropping a ball from a high building