Potential Energy Calculator
Calculate gravitational potential energy with PE = mgh. Solve for energy, mass, or height using g = 9.80665 m/s² and SI units.
Potential energy (PE = m·g·h)
490.332 J
Gravitational potential energy: PE = m·g·h. Standard gravity on Earth is g = 9.80665 m/s². Energy in joules (J).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gravitational potential energy formula?
Gravitational potential energy is PE = m × g × h, where m is mass in kilograms, g is the gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s² on Earth), and h is height in metres. The result is in joules (J).
How do I calculate potential energy?
Multiply the mass, the gravitational acceleration, and the height. For example, a 5 kg object 10 m high has PE = 5 × 9.80665 × 10 ≈ 490.3 joules.
What value of g should I use?
Use the standard gravity g = 9.80665 m/s² for Earth. Some textbooks round to 9.8 or 9.81 m/s². You can change the value here for other planets or rounded results.
How do I find height from potential energy?
Rearrange to h = PE / (m × g). Divide the energy by the mass times gravity.
What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?
Potential energy is stored energy due to position (here, height in a gravitational field), while kinetic energy is the energy of motion. As an object falls, gravitational potential energy converts into kinetic energy.