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Potential Energy Calculator

Calculate gravitational potential energy from mass, height, and gravitational acceleration (PE = mgh).

Kinetic Energy (½mv²)
8.44 kJ
8438 Joules
Potential Energy (mgh)
14.71 kJ
14715 Joules
Total Mechanical Energy
23.15 kJ
23153 Joules
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Calculation Guide & Reference

Gravitational Potential Energy Mathematics

Potential energy calculator computes gravitational potential energy from mass, height, and gravitational acceleration.

Standardized Mathematical Formula
PE = m × g × h

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object holds due to its height above a reference point — it equals mass times gravitational acceleration times height.

Variables:
m:Mass of the object, in kilograms
g:Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² on Earth)
h:Height above the reference point, in meters
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
  • 1Enter the object's mass and height.
  • 2View the gravitational potential energy, alongside kinetic and total mechanical energy.
Real-World Numerical Example
A 10 kg Object at 5 Meters

A 10 kg object is lifted 5 meters above the ground.

•PE = 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 Joules.
Result: The object has approximately 490.5 Joules of gravitational potential energy.
Calculation Best Practices & Tips
Maintain consistent SI units (meters, kilograms, seconds, amperes, volts) across all variables before computing.
Check vector sign conventions (e.g., downward acceleration due to gravity g = -9.80665 m/s²) in projectile motion problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It converts into kinetic energy — by conservation of energy, the potential energy lost as an object falls equals the kinetic energy gained, ignoring air resistance.

No — gravitational potential energy depends only on the final height above the reference point, not on the path taken to get there, since gravity is a conservative force.

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