Gravitational Potential Energy Equation
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Gravitational Potential Energy Equation
, for nearly uniform gravity, with h measured above the reference height.
1 joule = 1 N·m = 1 kg·m²/s². Also, 1 newton = 1 kg·m/s².
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Reviewed physics notes (2)
These corrections keep the original lesson’s purpose while fixing errors in the source edition.
- A joule is N·m; N·s is momentum or impulse. — Reference 1
- Potential energy uses scalar g, not the acceleration vector. — Reference 1
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy is energy associated with the relative positions of attracting masses. Near Earth, changes can be approximated by mass times gravitational field strength times height change when that field is nearly constant. For example, lifting a book increases the gravitational potential energy of the book–Earth system.
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Potential energy
Potential energy describes energy associated with the configuration of interacting parts of a system. Its numerical zero is a chosen reference, while differences in potential energy determine physical energy changes. For example, separating Earth and a ball changes their gravitational potential energy even though the energy belongs to their interaction.