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ScienceAges 16-18

Gravitational potential energy

Use Eₚ = mgh (with g = 10 N/kg) to calculate gravitational potential energy gained when an object is raised. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Gravitational potential energy

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. An object of mass 30 kg is raised by 5 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    30 kg → Δh = 5 m · g = 10 N/kg
  2. 2. An object of mass 15 kg is raised by 12 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    15 kg → Δh = 12 m · g = 10 N/kg
  3. 3. An object of mass 8 kg is raised by 14 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    8 kg → Δh = 14 m · g = 10 N/kg
  4. 4. An object of mass 26 kg is raised by 14 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    26 kg → Δh = 14 m · g = 10 N/kg
  5. 5. An object of mass 14 kg is raised by 3 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    14 kg → Δh = 3 m · g = 10 N/kg
  6. 6. An object of mass 9 kg is raised by 17 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    9 kg → Δh = 17 m · g = 10 N/kg
  7. 7. An object of mass 28 kg is raised by 10 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    28 kg → Δh = 10 m · g = 10 N/kg
  8. 8. An object of mass 24 kg is raised by 19 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    24 kg → Δh = 19 m · g = 10 N/kg
  9. 9. An object of mass 24 kg is raised by 16 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    24 kg → Δh = 16 m · g = 10 N/kg
  10. 10. An object of mass 18 kg is raised by 3 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    18 kg → Δh = 3 m · g = 10 N/kg
  11. 11. An object of mass 7 kg is raised by 7 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    7 kg → Δh = 7 m · g = 10 N/kg
  12. 12. An object of mass 30 kg is raised by 17 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    30 kg → Δh = 17 m · g = 10 N/kg
12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Gravitational potential energy

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. An object of mass 30 kg is raised by 5 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    1500 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 30 × 10 × 5 = 1500 J.

  2. 2. An object of mass 15 kg is raised by 12 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    1800 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 15 × 10 × 12 = 1800 J.

  3. 3. An object of mass 8 kg is raised by 14 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    1120 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 8 × 10 × 14 = 1120 J.

  4. 4. An object of mass 26 kg is raised by 14 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    3640 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 26 × 10 × 14 = 3640 J.

  5. 5. An object of mass 14 kg is raised by 3 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    420 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 14 × 10 × 3 = 420 J.

  6. 6. An object of mass 9 kg is raised by 17 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    1530 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 9 × 10 × 17 = 1530 J.

  7. 7. An object of mass 28 kg is raised by 10 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    2800 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 28 × 10 × 10 = 2800 J.

  8. 8. An object of mass 24 kg is raised by 19 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    4560 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 24 × 10 × 19 = 4560 J.

  9. 9. An object of mass 24 kg is raised by 16 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    3840 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 24 × 10 × 16 = 3840 J.

  10. 10. An object of mass 18 kg is raised by 3 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    540 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 18 × 10 × 3 = 540 J.

  11. 11. An object of mass 7 kg is raised by 7 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    490 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 7 × 10 × 7 = 490 J.

  12. 12. An object of mass 30 kg is raised by 17 m in a gravitational field of strength g = 10 N/kg. Use Eₚ = mgh to calculate the gravitational potential energy gained.

    5100 J

    Eₚ = m × g × h = 30 × 10 × 17 = 5100 J.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification