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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
