Gravitational Potential Energy Quiz

Gravitational Potential Energy

• An object gains energy when raised through a height due to work done against gravity.
• The energy gained by the object is called gravitational potential energy.

Definition of Gravitational Potential Energy

• Gravitational potential energy of an object at a point above the ground is the work done in raising it from the ground to that point against gravity.

Expression for Gravitational Potential Energy

• The expression for gravitational potential energy (Ep) is Ep = mgh, where m is the mass of the object and h is the height.
• The minimum force required to raise the object is equal to the weight of the object, mg.
• Work done on the object against gravity is W = mg × h = mgh, which is equal to the potential energy gained by the object.

Important Points to Note

• The potential energy of an object at a height depends on the ground level or the zero level chosen.
• An object can have different values of potential energy with respect to different levels.
• The work done by gravity depends on the difference in vertical heights of the initial and final positions of the object and not on the path along which the object is moved.