Mechanics
Gravitational Potential Energy
Energy stored due to position in gravitational field.
Variables
PEJ
Potential energy
Stored energy
In SI units: kg·m²/s²
mkg
Mass
Mass of object
Allowed values: 0 or more
gm/s²
Gravitational acceleration
≈ 9.8 m/s²
Allowed values: greater than 0
hm
Height
Height above reference
Derivation
Work against gravity: W = ∫mg dy = mgh.
Your notes
0/5000
Constants in this formula
Check value
Round inputs run through this page's calculator, with each constant at its tabulated value. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.
- m = 2 kg (Mass)
- g = 9.806 65 m/s² (Gravitational acceleration)
- h = 3 m (Height)
Result: PE = 58.8399 J
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Spring Potential Energy (Work & Energy) shares Potential energy
- Work-Energy Theorem (Work & Energy) shares Mass
- Free Fall (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Range (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Maximum Height (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Time of Flight (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Work & Energy, alongside Work and Power.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Kinetic Energy and before Spring Potential Energy.
- Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Gravitational Potential Energy formula?
Gravitational Potential Energy is written PE = mgh. Energy stored due to position in gravitational field. It belongs to Mechanics, under Work & Energy.
What are the units in PE = mgh?
In SI units, PE is potential energy, measured in kg·m²/s²; m is mass, measured in kg; g is gravitational acceleration, measured in m/s²; h is height, measured in m.
How is the Gravitational Potential Energy formula derived?
Work against gravity: W = ∫mg dy = mgh. The result is PE = mgh.