Question

Derive the expression for gravitational potential energy. Hence derive change in gravitational potential energy to U = mgh​

Answer 1

Explanation:

When a body of mass (m) is moved from infinity to a point inside the gravitational influence of a source mass (M) without accelerating it, the amount of work done in displacing it into the source field is stored in the form of potential energy this is known as gravitational potential energy. It is represented with the symbol Ug.

Explanation: We know that the potential energy of a body at a given position is defined as the energy stored in the body at that position. If the position of the body changes due to the application of external forces the change in potential energy is equal to the amount of work done on the body by the forces.

The equation for gravitational potential energy is:

⇒ GPE = m⋅g⋅h

Where,

m is the mass in kilograms,

g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 on Earth)

h is the height above the ground in meters