gravitational potential energy

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what is energy in the gravitational store of an object is defined as?

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The energy an object has due to its height in a gravitational field

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If an object is lifted up…

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energy is transferred to its gravitational potential store

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13 Terms

1
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what is energy in the gravitational store of an object is defined as?

The energy an object has due to its height in a gravitational field

2
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If an object is lifted up…

energy is transferred to its gravitational potential store

3
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If an object falls….

energy will be transferred away from its gravitational potential store

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how can gravitational potential energy be calculated?

Ep = m × g × h

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what does Ep represent?

Ep = gravitational potential energy, in joules (J)

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what does m represent?

mass, in kilograms (kg)

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what does g represent?

g = gravitational field strength in newtons per kilogram (N/kg)

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what does h represent?

h = height in metres (m)

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so what is the word equation to calculate gravitational potential energy?

gravitational potential energy = mass x gravitational field strength x height

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what is the gravitational field strength on Earth?

approximately 9.8 N/kg

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what is the gravitational field strength on the moon in comparison to Earth? (2)

  • The gravitational field strength on the surface of the Moonis less than on the Earth

  • This means it would be easier to lift a mass on the Moon than on the Earth

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what is the gravitational field strength on gas giants (Jupiter and saturn) in comparison to Earth?

  • The gravitational field strength on the surface of the gas giants is more than on the Earth

  • This means it would be harder to lift a mass on the gas giants than on the Earth

<ul><li><p><span>The gravitational field strength on the surface of the gas giants is more than on the Earth</span></p></li><li><p><span>This means it would be harder to lift a mass on the gas giants than on the Earth</span></p></li></ul><p></p>
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A man of mass 70 kg climbs a flight of stairs that is 3 m higher than the floor. Gravitational field strength is approximately 9.8 N/kg. Calculate the energy transferred to the man's gravitational potential energy store.

Step 1: List the known quantities

  • Mass of the man, m = 70 kg

  • Gravitational field strength, g = 9.8 N/kg

  • Height, Δh = 3 m

Step 2: Write down the equation for gravitational potential energy

ΔEP = mgΔh

Step 3: Calculate the gravitational potential energy

ΔEP = 70 × 9.8 × 3 = 2058 J