Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator (PE = mgh)
Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator (PE = mgh)
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has due to its height above a reference point. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other two known values, and this calculator computes the missing one.
In the absence of air resistance, potential energy converts completely into kinetic energy as an object falls — this is the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, and it's why a dropped object's speed just before impact can be calculated directly from its starting height without needing to track the fall moment by moment. A 10 kg object raised 5 meters holds about 490.5 joules of potential energy using standard gravity, and that entire amount reappears as kinetic energy by the time the object reaches the ground, which the Kinetic Energy Calculator can then use to work out the resulting impact speed.
- The core formula is PE = m × g × h, so a 10 kg object raised 5 m has PE = 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 J.
- Potential energy converts into kinetic energy as an object falls - in the absence of air resistance, all the potential energy becomes kinetic energy by the time it reaches the ground (conservation of mechanical energy).
- The gravity value defaults to Earth's standard 9.81 m/s², but can be changed to compute potential energy on the Moon, Mars, or elsewhere.
How do I calculate gravitational potential energy?
Multiply the mass by gravity and by the height: PE = m × g × h.
What is the potential energy of a 10 kg object raised 5 m?
PE = 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 J.
Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator (PE = mgh)
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has due to its height above a reference point. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other two known values, and this calculator computes the missing one.
In the absence of air resistance, potential energy converts completely into kinetic energy as an object falls — this is the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, and it's why a dropped object's speed just before impact can be calculated directly from its starting height without needing to track the fall moment by moment. A 10 kg object raised 5 meters holds about 490.5 joules of potential energy using standard gravity, and that entire amount reappears as kinetic energy by the time the object reaches the ground, which the Kinetic Energy Calculator can then use to work out the resulting impact speed.
- The core formula is PE = m × g × h, so a 10 kg object raised 5 m has PE = 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 J.
- Potential energy converts into kinetic energy as an object falls - in the absence of air resistance, all the potential energy becomes kinetic energy by the time it reaches the ground (conservation of mechanical energy).
- The gravity value defaults to Earth's standard 9.81 m/s², but can be changed to compute potential energy on the Moon, Mars, or elsewhere.
How do I calculate gravitational potential energy?
Multiply the mass by gravity and by the height: PE = m × g × h.
What is the potential energy of a 10 kg object raised 5 m?
PE = 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 J.