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1. Energy
1.1 Energy changes in a System
1.1.4 Gravitational Potential Energy
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Created by
Oscar Fisher
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Gravitational potential energy
is the energy an object has due to its
height
in a
gravitational field.
If an object is lifted up, energy is transferred
to
its gravitational potential store.
If an object falls, energy will be transferred
away
from its gravitational potential store.
The
gravitational potential energy
,
Ep
, of an object can be calculated using the equation: Ep =
m
× g ×
h.
The gravitational field strength (g) on the Earth is approximately
9.8
N/kg.
The gravitational field strength on the surface of the Moon is
less
than on the Earth.
m =
mass
, in
kilograms
(
kg
).
This means it would be
easier
to lift a mass on the Moon than on the Earth.
The gravitational field strength on the surface of the gas giants (eg Jupiter and Saturn) is
more
than on the Earth.
This means it would be
harder
to lift a mass on the gas giants than on the Earth.