What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?
Gravitational potential energy is a type of energy an object has due to it being raised above the ground. The amount of gravitational potential energy the object has as it is lifted can be determined by measuring the amount of work it took to get the object there using the height it was raised (h), its mass (m) and the gravitational pull of the earth (g), which is 10 N/kg. The formula for gravitational potential energy is GPE = mgh. For example, a 50 kg weight that is lifted 5 m would have a GPE of 50 x 5 x 10, or 2500 joules (J), the unit for energy. If the weight used in the previous example were released, its gravitational potential energy would change into kinetic energy. The weight starts out with only gravitational potential energy while it is held above the ground. When it is released, it begins to accelerate towards the ground due to the gravitational pull. As it does, it will have both potential and kinetic energy. The closer it gets to the ground, the more of its potential en
