Formula and method
ΔU = mgh, where height is measured relative to the chosen zero level.
Worked example
Raising 10 kg by 5 m with g = 9.80665 m/s² changes potential energy by 490.3325 J.
Potential Energy Calculator
Find potential-energy difference from mass, height and gravity, or rearrange U = mgh to solve for mass, height or gravity.
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Gravitational potential-energy difference490.3325 J
kg
0 – 1,000,000,000,000,000 kg
m
Signed height relative to your chosen zero level.
m/s²
9.80665 m/s² is standard gravity at Earth's surface.
Gravitational potential-energy difference
490.3325 J
- Mass10.0000 kg
- Height above reference5.0000 m
- Gravitational acceleration9.8067 m/s²
Assumes a uniform gravitational field. Negative height gives negative potential energy relative to the chosen zero; orbital distances need a different model.
How this was calculated
- U = m × g × hPut in your numbers: U = 10 kg × 9.80665 m/s² × 5 mAnswer: U = 490.3325 J
Frequently asked questions
Can potential energy be negative?
Yes. A negative height gives negative potential energy relative to the selected reference. Differences in potential energy are what matter physically.
References
- University Physics Volume 1, 8.1 Potential Energy of a System — OpenStax (Rice University)
Last updated . Results are estimates for informational purposes only.