Energy is the capacity for doing work.Gravitational potential energy is the capacity of an object for doing work as a result of its position in a gravitational field. For a uniform field, the gravitational potential energy is given byEp = m g ΔhThis is because work is done by a force F=mg in moving an object by a distance of Δhso Fs = mgΔh.
Gravitational Potential Energy
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Specification: OCR Physics A (H156), AS-level, 3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies. Topic: Work, Energy and Power.
Key terms in this lesson
- elastic limit
- The point beyond which a material no longer returns to its original length or shape once the deforming force is removed.
- Hooke's law
- The extension of a spring or wire is directly proportional to the force applied, provided the limit of proportionality is not exceeded.
More in Work, Energy and Power
- Work Done at and Angle to Motion
- Principle of Conservation of Energy
- Forms of Energy
- Kinetic Energy
- Energy Transfer
- Power
- Power and Motion
- Efficiency
All 10 lessons in Work, Energy and Power · All OCR AS-level Physics topics