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22 gru 2020 · Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is an important physical concept that describes the energy something possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. The GPE formula GPE = mgh shows that it depends on the mass of the object, the acceleration due to gravity and the height of the object.
We define this to be the gravitational potential energy \((PE_g)\) put into (or gained by) the object-Earth system. This energy is associated with the state of separation between two objects that attract each other by the gravitational force.
We studied gravitational potential energy in Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy, where the value of \(g\) remained constant. We now develop an expression that works over distances such that g is not constant.
Gravitational potential energy is energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. The most common use of gravitational potential energy is for an object near the surface of the Earth where the gravitational acceleration can be assumed to be constant at about 9.8 m/s 2 .
Section Summary. Work done against gravity in lifting an object becomes potential energy of the object-Earth system. The change in gravitational potential energy, ΔPEg, Δ PE g, is ΔPEg = mgh, Δ PE g = m g h, with h h being the increase in height and g g the acceleration due to gravity.
For an object tossed upwards, the relevant energies are kinetic and gravitational potential. K 0 + U 0 = K + U. Replace the energy symbols with their equations. (Remember that kinetic energy is always positive and that gravitational energy is always negative.)
