Potential Energy Calculator
Potential Energy is evaluated from Mass, Height and Potential Energy. The calculation reports Potential Energy, Potential Energy and Mass.
Results
About the Potential Energy Calculator
The calculator uses a multi formula configuration. Each reported value is read as a direct evaluation of the stored rules with the declared field formats and units.
Formula basis:
PE = m x g x h
m = mass (kg)
g = 9.80665 m/s^2 (Earth's surface gravity)
h = height above reference point (m)
Solving for mass: m = PE / (g x h)
Solving for height: h = PE / (m x g)
Interpret the outputs in the order shown by the result fields. Optional inputs affect only the outputs that depend on those variables.
Formula & How It Works
The calculation applies the following relations exactly as recorded in the metadata: PE = m x g x h m = mass (kg) g = 9.80665 m/s^2 (Earth's surface gravity) h = height above reference point (m) Solving for mass: m = PE / (g x h) Solving for height: h = PE / (m x g) Each output field is produced by substituting the supplied inputs into the relevant relation and then applying the declared rounding or text format.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Hoover Dam Water Reservoir
Inputs
With Mass = 1,000,000 and Height = 221 as the stated inputs, the result is Potential Energy = 2,167,269,650 J and Potential Energy = 2,167,269.65 kJ. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.
Example 2: Football Player Jumping
Inputs
With Mass = 113.4 and Height = 0.9 as the stated inputs, the result is Potential Energy = 1,000.87 J and Potential Energy = 1.0009 kJ. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.
Example 3: Water Tower Supply
Inputs
With Mass = 50,000 and Height = 30.5 as the stated inputs, the result is Potential Energy = 14,955,141.25 J and Potential Energy = 14,955.1413 kJ. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.
Example 4: Empire State Building Elevator Load
Inputs
With Mass = 2,000 and Height = 443 as the stated inputs, the result is Potential Energy = 8,688,691.9 J and Potential Energy = 8,688.6919 kJ. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.
Common Use Cases
- Calculate energy of water at top of a dam
- Find potential energy of an elevated object before it falls
- Determine height from measured energy and mass