Gravitational potential energy is energy by virtue of gravity. The higher an object is raised above a surface the greater the distance it must fall to reach that surface and the more velocity it will build as it falls. For gravitational potential energy, PE = mgh where m is mass (kilograms), h is height (meters), and g is acceleration due to gravity which is a constant (9.8 m/s2).
Which of the following is the formula for gravitational potential energy?
\(PE = { 1 \over 2} mv^2\) |
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\(PE = { 1 \over 2} mg^2\) |
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\(PE = mgh\) |
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\(PE = mg^2h\) |