An objects gravitational potential energy depends on the objects mass the strength of the gravitational field and what other variable
The other variable that the object's gravitational potential energy depends on is its height or distance from the reference point (usually the Earth's surface).
An object's gravitational potential energy also depends on the height of the object from a reference point. The formula for gravitational potential energy is given by:
Potential Energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
So, the mass, strength of the gravitational field, and height are the three variables that affect an object's gravitational potential energy.
An object's gravitational potential energy depends on three variables: the object's mass, the strength of the gravitational field, and its height relative to a reference point. The mathematical formula to calculate gravitational potential energy is:
Gravitational Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) × acceleration due to gravity (g) × height (h)
where,
- mass (m) is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg),
- acceleration due to gravity (g) is the strength of the gravitational field, which is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²) on Earth, but varies depending on the celestial body,
- height (h) is the vertical distance the object is lifted or positioned above a reference point, typically in meters (m).
To determine the gravitational potential energy of an object, you need to know its mass, the strength of the gravitational field (or the value of acceleration due to gravity), and its height from the reference point. Plugging these values into the formula will give you the gravitational potential energy.