Gravitational Potential Energy Tutorial with Problems

After DeKalb County School System. Mr. Synder.

For problems with calculations use UDRSS:   ◻Units       ◻Data       ◻Relationship       ◻Substitution       ◻Solution

• GPE = G·m·h
• G = 9.8 m/s²
• m = mass (kg)
• h = height (m)
• GPE energy unit is the Joule (J)

1. What is the GPE of a ball with a mass of 0.5 kg and a height of 10 meters above the ground? 
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is the GPE of a person standing at the top of a ladder with a height of 15 meters? The person has a mass of 80 kg. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is the GPE of a bowling ball with a mass of 1.5 kg and held 2 meters above the ground? 
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What is the GPE of a car with a mass of 505 kg and a height of 40 meters above the ground? (It’s falling off of a cliff) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. What is the GPE of a vase with a mass of 0.05 kg and a height of 3.4 meters above the ground? 
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. A ball with a mass of 0.3 kg and a GPE of 30 J is how far above the ground?