Gravitational potential and kinetic energies

GPE is the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. KE is the energy an object
has due to its movement. When objects rise or fall, GPE is converted into KE and visa versa.

Gravitational Potential Energy

GPE is calculated using the equation:

GPE = mass (kg) * g (Nkg-1) * height (m)

Usually, GPE is considered as a change caused by a change in height, thus:

∆𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚𝑔∆ℎ

e.g. A brick of mass 2.2kg is lifted by 1.24m therefore GPE = 2.2*9.81*1.24 = 26.98J

Kinetic Energy

KE is calculated using the equation:

KE = 0.5 * mass(kg) * speed2(m2s-2)

1
𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
e.g. A jet has a cruising speed of 900km/h and a flight mass of 400 tonnes. It’s KE can be calculated
as such:

Conversion between KE and GPE

Due to the principle of conservation of energy, we can never lose or gain energy out of nowhere.
This means one is always converted to the other:

By dividing out the mass, how fast an object will be travelling after falling a certain distance from
rest can be calculated:

𝑣 = √2𝑔∆ℎ

Or how high an object could rise if projected upwards at a certain speed:

𝑣2
∆ℎ =
2𝑔
e.g.