1. What is Potential Energy?

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position relative to other objects. Gravitational potential energy is calculated based on an object's mass, height, and the gravitational acceleration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the potential energy formula:

Where:

• \( m \) — Mass (kg)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Height (m)
• \( PE \) — Potential energy (Joules)

Explanation: The formula calculates the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field.

3. Importance of Potential Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating potential energy is essential in physics, engineering, and various applications including energy storage systems, mechanical systems, and understanding fundamental physical principles.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What are typical units for potential energy?
A: The SI unit is Joules (J), but it can also be expressed in other energy units like calories or electronvolts.

Q3: Does this formula work for all types of potential energy?
A: No, this formula specifically calculates gravitational potential energy. Other types include elastic and chemical potential energy.

Q4: How does height affect potential energy?
A: Potential energy increases linearly with height - doubling the height doubles the potential energy.

Q5: Can potential energy be negative?
A: In some reference systems, potential energy can be negative, but in this basic calculation it's always positive.