gravitational potential energy - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about gravitational potential energy Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,762,012,850 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

gravitational potential energy

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia 0.03 sec.

gravitational potential energy

Energy possessed by an object when it is placed in a position from which, if it were free to do so, it would fall under the influence of gravity. If the object is free to fall, then the gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic (motion) energy. The gravitational potential energy Ep of an object of mass m kilograms placed at a height h metres above the ground is given by the formula:

Ep = mgh

where g is the gravitational field strength (in newtons per kilogram) of the Earth at that place. See also potential energy.

In a hydroelectric power station, gravitational potential energy of water held in a high-level reservoir is used to drive turbines to produce electricity.



How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
The taller the ramp, the more gravitational potential energy Shaun will store at the top of it.
Catching air: pro-boarder Shaun White uses physics to soar to great ... by Bryner, Jeanna / Science World
As the train climbs, it gains gravitational potential energy The higher it climbs, the more energy it stores.
Wheeee! Climb aboard Expedition Everest Disney's newest adventure ride by Chiang, Mona / Science World
The higher up he is, the more gravitational potential energy (stored energy due to height) he'll have," says Louis Bloomfield, a physicist at the University of Virginia.
Great jump by Bryner, Jeanna / Science World
More results
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.