What is Gravitational Potential Energy?

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is the energy an object has because of its position above the ground. The higher an object is, the more gravitational potential energy it has.

Formula: GPE = m × g × h

Where:

• m = mass (in kilograms)

• g = gravity (9.8 m/s² on Earth)

• h = height (in metres)

• GPE = gravitational potential energy (in joules)

Practice Questions

1. A book with a mass of 2 kg is placed on a shelf 3 metres high. Calculate its gravitational potential energy. (Use g = 10 m/s² to make calculations easier)

2. A football with a mass of 0.5 kg is held 4 metres above the ground. What is its gravitational potential energy? (Use g = 10 m/s²)

3. Which object has more gravitational potential energy?

A 1 kg ball at 5 metres high

A 2 kg ball at 2 metres high

They have the same energy

4. A backpack weighing 3 kg is carried up stairs to a height of 6 metres. Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained. (Use g = 10 m/s²)

5. Explain in your own words why a ball has more gravitational potential energy when it's held higher above the ground.

6. True or False: An object's gravitational potential energy depends on both its mass and height.

True

False

7. What happens to the gravitational potential energy of a ball when it falls from a height of 10 metres to 5 metres?

8. Draw a diagram showing two identical objects at different heights and label which one has more gravitational potential energy.