Gravitational Potential Energy Essay

Gravitational potential energy Gravitational potential energy (GPE), is the energy of position or place. When learning about GPE we need to learn the formula and understand the concept. The whole general concept of energy is energy cannot be created nor be destroyed. Gravitational potential energy is energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational potential energy is for an object near the surface of the Earth where the gravitational acceleration can be assumed to be at a constant at about 9.8 m/s^2. The formula to find the GPE is U= -G*M*m/r where, U=GPE, G=Gravitational Constant, M= mass body 1, m=mass body 2, and r= the distance between two bodies. Now to find the GPE on Earth’s surface is U= m*g*h where U=GPE,

The higher the position, the greater the potential energy. Gravitational potential energy is acquired by an object when it has been moved against a gravitational field.•For example, an object raised above the surface of the Earth will gain energy, which is released if the object is allowed to fall back to the ground. This form of energy is stored in the gravitational field of earth. When the object with GPE is released, or begins movement this energy is then converted into kinetic energy.Since the zero of GPE can be chosen at any point, the potential energy at a height (h) above the point is equal to teh work which would be required to lift the object to that height with no net change in kinetic energy. Kinetic Energy is the energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles in the system. This kinetic energy can be used to power machines and due to it being produced from GPE, it doesn’t take that much work to be created. GPE can be simply used by anyone, isn’t as harmful as other energy sources, and can

Also GPE can never run out or cause harm to the earth like using fossil fuels for energy can. Burning fossil fuels create greenhouse gases which rise and gets trapped in the ozone layer of Earth. This breaks up the ozone leaving Earth exposed to the sun’s harmful rays, which leads to climate and weather change. according to climate.nasa.gov, “the 10 warmest years in the 134- year record have all occurred since 2000.” The dangers of climate increase includes; the melting of polar ice caps and thus increasing sea levels and cause floods to coastal areas, increased evaporation which leads to dry soil in some areas and increased rainfall in others, and vegetation would be forced to adapt to the changes in soil, climate, and weather. Many energy sources, such as mechanical, chemical, and nuclear, have the potential to produce mass levels of harmful emissions, GPE, however, is safer in terms of pollution and has no risk of producing such devastating