Potential energy is calculated by determining the work done on an object to place it in a specific position. According to the reference provided, this work done equals the potential energy gained by the object. Therefore, potential energy is calculated using the following principles.
Understanding Potential Energy Calculation
Here's a breakdown of how potential energy is calculated:
The Fundamental Formula
The potential energy formula is directly derived from the work-energy principle.
- Work done on the object = force × displacement
As stated in the reference, the work done on the object is equal to the potential energy gained by the object.
Gravitational Potential Energy
A common type of potential energy is gravitational potential energy, which is the energy an object possesses due to its height above the ground. The calculation for this is:
-
Potential Energy (E) = m × g × h
Where:
- m represents the mass of the object.
- g represents the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).
- h represents the height of the object above the reference point (usually the ground).
Example
Let's say you lift a 2 kg book 1 meter off the floor.
- Mass (m): 2 kg
- Gravity (g): 9.8 m/s²
- Height (h): 1 m
The gravitational potential energy of the book would be:
- E = 2 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 1 m = 19.6 Joules.
Therefore, the book has 19.6 Joules of potential energy due to its position.
Key Takeaways
Here are some important points:
- Potential Energy and Work: Potential energy is fundamentally linked to the work required to change an object's position.
- Conservation of Energy: The reference states that the energy gained by the object is equal to the work done which is mgh, this demonstrates that energy is conserved.
- Reference Point: Potential energy is relative to a chosen reference point, typically the ground.
