A body of mass ‘m’ kg is kept at a height of ‘h’ m from the surface of the Earth. What will be the potential energy possessed by this body?
- AOption (a)
- BOption (b)
- COption (c)
- DOption (d)
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Correct answer
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is mgh.

Key Points
- Potential Energy (PE): Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its position or configuration. For an object at height h above the Earth's surface, the potential energy is calculated as mgh, where:
- m: Mass of the object (in kilograms).
- g: Acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).
- h: Height above the Earth's surface (in meters).
- The formula PE = mgh is derived from the work done to raise the object against the force of gravity. Hence, this expression is universally accepted for calculating the gravitational potential energy.
- The other options are incorrect:
- mh/g: This formula incorrectly divides mass times height by gravity, which does not represent potential energy.
- m²gh: Squaring the mass is unnecessary and does not fit the physical definition of potential energy.
- hg/m: Dividing height times gravity by mass is mathematically and conceptually incorrect.
- Gravitational potential energy is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction.
- Hence, the correct answer is mgh.

Additional Information
- Gravitational Potential Energy:
- It depends on the position of the object relative to a reference point, often taken as the Earth's surface.
- The formula PE = mgh applies near the Earth's surface where the gravitational field is uniform.
- For larger distances from Earth or in non-uniform gravitational fields, the formula becomes more complex and involves gravitational potential due to mass and distance.
- Examples of Potential Energy:
- An object placed on a shelf has potential energy due to its height above the ground.
- A stretched spring has elastic potential energy due to its deformation.
- Applications of Gravitational Potential Energy:
- Hydropower plants: Water stored at a height has potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy and then to electrical energy.
- Roller coasters: Potential energy at the highest point is converted to kinetic energy during descent.
- Acceleration due to Gravity (g):
- The standard value of g on Earth's surface is 9.8 m/s².
- The value of g decreases with altitude and varies slightly depending on location (e.g., poles vs. equator).
- Important Points:
- Potential energy is always relative to a reference point. If the reference point is changed, the value of potential energy changes accordingly.
- In physics problems, the reference point is often assumed to be the ground or the Earth's surface unless specified otherwise.






























































