A Level Physics WORK, ENERGY, POWER Potential Energy.

DEFINITION

For everyday situations close to the earths surface we consider the gravitational field to be constant, so that the force exerted on a body is equal to mass multiplied by a constant g, this constant has a value of about 9.8. Hence when a object is lifted a distance h vertically, it does so against a force of m g, and so by the definition, work is done on the object. This work is equal to the Force (m g) multiplied by the distance (h), hence

W = mgh
If the object is lowered again it will give this energy out again, hence the rasied object has potential energy, relative to its previous state.

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Rob Coles 08 April 1996 00:18:44 1