Which term refers to the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field?

Which term refers to the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field?

• A. Kinetic energy
• B. Thermal energy
• C. Potential energy
• D. Chemical energy

Answer: (C)

Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored because of an object's position in a gravitational field. When an object sits higher, gravity has the potential to do work on it as it moves downward, so energy is stored in that elevated position. On Earth, this energy is well approximated by the formula U = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above a chosen zero reference. This energy increases with height and mass: a heavier object or one raised higher has more gravitational potential energy. If you release the object, that stored energy can convert into kinetic energy—the energy of motion—as it falls. The other terms refer to different kinds of energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, not position. Thermal energy relates to temperature and the microscopic motions of particles. Chemical energy is stored in the bonds between atoms and released in chemical reactions. None of those describe energy due specifically to position in a gravitational field, which is why gravitational potential energy is the correct choice.

Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored because of an object's position in a gravitational field. When an object sits higher, gravity has the potential to do work on it as it moves downward, so energy is stored in that elevated position. On Earth, this energy is well approximated by the formula U = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above a chosen zero reference.

This energy increases with height and mass: a heavier object or one raised higher has more gravitational potential energy. If you release the object, that stored energy can convert into kinetic energy—the energy of motion—as it falls.

The other terms refer to different kinds of energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, not position. Thermal energy relates to temperature and the microscopic motions of particles. Chemical energy is stored in the bonds between atoms and released in chemical reactions. None of those describe energy due specifically to position in a gravitational field, which is why gravitational potential energy is the correct choice.