Explain by an example what is meant by potential energy. Write down the expression for gravitational potential energy of a body of mass m placed at a height h above the surface of the earth.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Potential energy is defined as the energy possessed by a body due to its position.

For example; when a box is kept at a height, it possesses some energy because of its height. Because of this potential energy, object kept at a height falls over the ground.

Expression for Potential Energy is

P.E = mgh,

where m is mass ,

g is acceleration due to gravity and

h is the height .