Gravitational PE
Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 53 of 97.
Lifting an object takes work against gravity, and the object stores it as gravitational potential energy:
Height is measured from the level you choose as h = 0, here the floor.
You choose where . Only changes in PE matter, and only the change in height counts, not the path.
Challenge
A pulley rope lifts a bucket of sand at a steady speed from the ground up the side of a house, and its gravitational PE grows by . Draw the forces on the bucket while it rises, then find the height it is lifted.
Try it yourself
Solve for
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Mechanics
4Inclined Planes
Forces on an InclineGravity ComponentsFrictionless InclineIncline with FrictionWill It Slide?Recap - Ramp Challenge7Projectile Motion
Independent AxesHorizontal LaunchLaunch at an AngleRange and Max HeightRecap - Hit the Target10Work and Energy
WorkKinetic EnergyWork-Energy TheoremGravitational PEConservation of EnergyPowerRecap - Roller Coaster13Impulse and Momentum
MomentumImpulseConservation of MomentumElastic CollisionsInelastic CollisionsRecap - Air Track16Simple Harmonic Motion
What is SHM?Mass on a SpringThe PendulumSHM GraphsEnergy in SHMRecap - Oscillator2Vectors and Newton's Laws
Right TrianglesWhat is a Vector?Adding VectorsAxes and DirectionsVector ComponentsForces Around UsFriction and TensionNewton's First LawNewton's Second LawNewton's Third LawRecap - Net Force