The potential energy of a body is the energy stored in it due to its position with respect to a datum (or reference position). It is determined as a product of the weight of the body and its vertical position or height. Mathematically, it is given as:
Potential energy = m x g x h
where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height...
The potential energy of a body is the energy stored in it due to its position with respect to a datum (or reference position). It is determined as a product of the weight of the body and its vertical position or height. Mathematically, it is given as:
Potential energy = m x g x h
where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object (with respect to a datum, generally, ground level).
Since the mass of an object and acceleration due to gravity are constant, potential energy varies directly as a function of the height of an object. Thus, higher the position of an object, the greater its potential energy will be.
For example, when we throw a ball upwards it continues to gain potential energy (while the ball's kinetic energy reduces). At its topmost position, the ball comes to rest and possesses the maximum potential energy. From this position, it starts falling back towards the ground (due to Earth's gravity) and loses potential energy as its height decreases.
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