Gravitational Potential Energy

Consider lifting an object of mass m through a distance h,

To just lift the object, we must exert a force of F = m g.

In lifting it a distance h, we do work equal to

W = F s

W = ( m g ) (h)

W = m g h

The object can now do that much work as it falls back to its original position; this is Potential Energy,

PE_g = m g h

or

U_g = m g h

Potential Energy			Elastic Potential Energy
Return to ToC, Work and Energy

(c) 2002, Doug Davis; all rights reserved