physics

The matrix is broken. I've seen this before.

If the piece of iron starts off stuck to the magnet, then you put energy into the system to separate the two. This energy is turned into potential energy.

If the piece of iron is already separated then the system starts off with potential energy. This energy can be converted into kinetic energy (if they are close enough to overcome any resistant force).

Hoboken, NJ

The energy is there all the time and is just changed as the system changes. Would you say this is similar to the gravitational energy in the earths field? I suppose the puzzling thing to me is it does not get used up.

I think this is right.