Forces and Energy Changes: Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy refers to the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field.
The higher the object is off the ground, the greater its gravitational potential energy. The larger the mass of an object, the greater its gravitational potential energy.
It’s important to know that gravitational potential energy is dependent on three key factors: the mass of the object (m), the height of the object (h), and the gravitational field strength (g).
You can calculate gravitational potential energy using the following formula: E_p = mgh, where E_p is the gravitational potential energy, m is the mass of the object, g is the gravitational field strength, and h is the height of the object above the ground.
Gravitational potential energy is measured in joules (J).
The gravitational field strength on Earth is approximately 9.8 N/kg. So, if you know the mass of an object and its height above the ground, you can calculate its gravitational potential energy.
When an object is dropped from a height, it loses gravitational potential energy as it falls. This lost energy is transformed into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion.
This transformation between potential and kinetic energy is an example of energy conservation. This principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
Do not forget that when an object is at its highest point (like just before it starts to fall); it has maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy. As it begins to fall, the potential energy gradually decreases and the kinetic energy increases.
Gravitational potential energy plays an essential role in various real-life applications like hydroelectric power generation, bungee jumping, roller coaster rides, and more.
Understanding gravitational potential energy is fundamental to learning areas like Physics and understanding universe concepts like the big bang theory, black holes, and gravitational waves.
The study of gravitational potential energy also extends to other types of potential energy, such as elastic potential energy, chemical potential energy, and nuclear potential energy.