Gravitational potential energy is the stored energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. The formula for gravitational potential energy is PE=mgh, where PE is the potential energy in joules, m is the object's mass in kilograms, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height of the object in meters. The document provides examples of using the formula to calculate the gravitational potential energy of a person climbing to the roof of a tall building, a rock being raised, and a leopard climbing a tree.

1. Gravitational
Potential
Energy

2. Gravitational Potential Energy
•Stored kind of energy
possessed by an object by
virtue of its position.

3. PE=mgh
• PE - potential energy in joules (J);
• m - object's mass in kilograms (kg);
• g - acceleration due to gravity which is
9.8 m/s²;
• h - height of the object from the
reference point (e.g., ground) in
meters (m).

4. Problem-Solving
• A 60-kg person walks from the
ground to the roof of a 74.8 m
tall building. How much
gravitational potential energy
does she have at the top of the
building?

5. PE=mgh
=60kg (9.8 m/s²)(74.8m)
=43982.40 Joule

6. •Determine the gain in
the potential energy
when a 4.0 kg rock is
raised 18 m.

7. PE=mgh
=4kg (9.8 m/s²)(18m)
=705.6 Joule

8. •A leopard with a mass of
55.00 kg climbs 12.0 m
up a tree. What is its
gain in Gravitational
Potential Energy?

9. PE=mgh
=55kg (9.8 m/s²)(12m)
=6,468 Joule