Practice Gravitational Potential Energy in Physics
Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.
Quick Recap
Energy stored in an object due to its height above a chosen reference point in a gravitational field.
The higher you lift something, the more energy it stores (ready to fall).
Example 1
easyWhat is the gravitational potential energy of a 4 \text{ kg} book on a shelf 2.5 \text{ m} above the floor? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.
Example 2
mediumA 50 \text{ kg} person climbs a 15 \text{ m} ladder. How much gravitational PE do they gain? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.
Example 3
easyAt what height does a 2 \text{ kg} object have 392 \text{ J} of gravitational PE? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.
Example 4
mediumA 0.5 \text{ kg} ball is thrown upward and reaches a maximum height of 12 \text{ m}. What was the ball's kinetic energy at launch? Use g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2.