[Uri]

Why stabilizing something means to move it to a lower potential energy? Why not to a lower kinetic energy?

[nj_bartel]

Stabilization should lead to decrease in kinetic, increase in potential.... Unless I'm just having a brain freeze moment...

[Uri]

Stabilization should lead to decrease in kinetic, increase in potential.... Unless I'm just having a brain freeze moment...

But why? Isn't kinetic energy relative and not absolute?

[nj_bartel]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

[Chaste]

I'm going to use this analogy of gravity. All items in nature would tend to be most stable at a lower potential energy. Imagine rolling a ball from a edge of bowl. The ball will move to and fro about the bowl but eventually rest at the bottom of the bowl.