1. What is Potential Energy?

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position relative to other objects. For a ball at height, it represents the gravitational potential energy that can be converted to kinetic energy when the ball is dropped.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the potential energy equation:

Where:

• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Height above reference point (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the energy stored in an object due to Earth's gravitational field at a certain height.

3. Importance of Potential Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating potential energy is fundamental in physics for understanding energy conservation, projectile motion, and mechanical systems. It helps predict the kinetic energy and velocity an object will have when falling.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and height in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator uses standard Earth gravity (9.81 m/s²).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is gravity 9.81 m/s²?
A: This is the standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface, though it varies slightly by location.

Q2: Does air resistance affect the calculation?
A: This calculation assumes ideal conditions without air resistance. In reality, air resistance would reduce the kinetic energy at impact.

Q3: What happens to the potential energy when the ball is dropped?
A: As the ball falls, potential energy converts to kinetic energy. At impact, most energy converts to other forms (sound, heat, deformation).

Q4: Can this be used for objects other than balls?
A: Yes, the equation applies to any object in Earth's gravitational field, regardless of shape.

Q5: How does height affect potential energy?
A: Potential energy increases linearly with height - doubling the height doubles the potential energy.