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# Gravitational potential energy

The gravitational potential energy $(E_{p}$ or $GPE)$ on Earth is the energy stored by an object that has been raised from the surface of the Earth.

When you carry a ball up some stairs you are increasing the ball's gravitational potential energy. This energy can be converted to work when you let the ball drop down the stair.

A ball that is at the top of a hill has the potential to roll down the hill, converting its gravitational potential energy into kinetic (movement) energy.

Objects that have more mass have more gravitational potential energy.

The energy $\Torange{(E_{\text{p}})}$ required to raise a mass $\Tblue{(m)}$ up a vertical height $\Tred{(h)}$ is equal to $$\Torange{E_{\text{p}}} = \Tblue{m} \times g \times \Tred{h}$$ $g$ is the gravitational field strength near Earth's surface ($10 \text{ N/kg})$

A mass of $10 \text{ kg}$ at a height of $10\um$ above the Earth's surface has a gravitational potential energy of $1000 \text{ J}.$