Gravitational Potential Energy

The Gravitational Potential Energy  calculator computes the potential energy of a body with a certain mass (m) at rest at a certain height (y).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (m) This is the mass of the object.
• (y)  This is the elevation or height of the object.

Potential Energy U(y):  The calculator returns the potential energy in Joules (J).  However this can be automatically converted to other energy units via the pull-down menu.

Related Calculators:

• Kinetic Energy: KE= ½⋅m⋅v²
• Potential Energy
• Potential Energy of Gravity (two bodies)
• Force of Gravity

The Math / Science

The formula for Potential Energy is:

• U(y) = m • g • y

where:

• U(y) is potential energy.
• g is the acceleration due to gravity
• m is the mass and
• y is the vertical displacement

The default units for Potential Energy are Joules (J) for potential energy, meters per second (m/s²) for acceleration due to gravity, and meters (m) for vertical displacement.  

The default acceleration due to gravity (g) is that of surface of the Earth at Sea Level (9.80665 m/s² ) .  The user can override the default with other values.

Education Resources:

• More information is available regarding Potential Energy in Light and Matter chapter 12.2 Potential energy: energy of distance or closeness
• YouTube video on Potential Energy

Reference

University Physics 12th Edition, Chapter 7, Equation #7.2