How do you determine the change in potential energy in an elevated object?

The change in potential energy in an elevated object is determined by the formula ΔPE = mgh.

In more detail, potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position relative to other objects. In the case of an elevated object, this is often referred to as gravitational potential energy. The change in this energy, or ΔPE, can be calculated using the formula ΔPE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object above the ground.

The mass of the object, denoted by 'm', is measured in kilograms (kg). The acceleration due to gravity, 'g', is a constant value of approximately 9.81 m/s² on the surface of the Earth. This value can vary slightly depending on the location on Earth, but for most purposes, 9.81 m/s² is used. The height, 'h', is the vertical distance from the ground to the object, measured in metres (m).

To calculate the change in potential energy, you first need to determine these three values. The mass of the object can usually be measured directly. The height can be measured from the ground to the point where the object is located. The acceleration due to gravity is a known constant.

Once you have these values, you can substitute them into the formula ΔPE = mgh. The result will give you the change in potential energy in joules (J). This represents the amount of energy that the object has gained or lost due to its change in height.

Remember, this formula assumes that the only force acting on the object is gravity. If there are other forces at play, such as friction or air resistance, these would need to be taken into account separately. Also, this formula is a simplification that assumes the Earth's gravitational field is uniform, which is a good approximation for small height changes near the Earth's surface. For larger height changes or distances from the Earth, a more complex formula would be needed.