EngiRef / Mechanical Engineering Formula
Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy: Energy due to height in a uniform gravitational field. A Dynamics formula in mechanical engineering. Variables PE, m, g and h…
Dynamics
Specification
- Name
- Gravitational Potential Energy
- Discipline
- mechanical
- Category
- Dynamics
- LaTeX
- PE = mgh
- Description
- Energy due to height in a uniform gravitational field
- Conditions
- Measured relative to a chosen reference height
- Can solve for
- PE, m, h
- Tags
- potential, energy, gravity, height
Variables
| Symbol | Name | Unit | Si Unit | Imperial Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE | Potential Energy | J | J | ft·lbf |
| m | Mass | kg | kg | slug |
| g | Gravity | m/s² | m/s² | ft/s² |
| h | Height | m | m | ft |
Common questions
- What is the Gravitational Potential Energy formula?
- Energy due to height in a uniform gravitational field. It sits under Dynamics, Mechanical engineering in the EngiRef reference.
- What do the symbols in the Gravitational Potential Energy formula mean?
- In Gravitational Potential Energy, PE is potential energy in J; m is mass in kg; g is gravity in m/s²; h is height in m.
- When does the Gravitational Potential Energy formula apply?
- Gravitational Potential Energy holds under this condition: Measured relative to a chosen reference height.