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Science & Engineering

Potential Energy Calculator

Calculate gravitational potential energy from mass, height and gravity on Earth, the Moon, Mars or Jupiter.

Your inputs

Results

Potential energy

490.3325 J

Speed if dropped (no air resistance)
9.9029 m/s

✓Exact calculation — rounded only for display

What this calculator does

Lifting an object stores energy that can be released if it falls.

Formula and method

PE = m × g × h; impact speed (no air resistance) = √(2gh)

Worked example

Calculated by this tool with its default inputs:

Inputs

  • Mass: 10 kg
  • Height above reference: 5 m
  • Gravity: Earth (standard, 9.80665 m/s²)

Results

  • Potential energy: 490.3325 J
  • Speed if dropped (no air resistance): 9.9029 m/s

How to read the results

Height is measured from whatever reference level you choose.

Assumptions and limitations

  • Assumes uniform gravity, valid near a planet’s surface; standard gravity g₀ = 9.80665 m/s².

These are educational estimates. Electrical, structural and other safety-critical work must comply with local codes and be designed or checked by a qualified professional.

Questions

Why does the Moon give less energy?

Its surface gravity is about one-sixth of Earth’s.

Methodology and verification

Result type
Exact mathematical calculation (rounded only for display)
Formula version
1.0
Automated verification
3 reference and validation test cases, checked against independently computed values. The site cannot be built if any of them fail.
Editorial review
Awaiting human editorial review. The explanation was drafted with AI assistance; the formula and examples are verified by the automated tests above.

Privacy

Everything you enter is calculated in this browser and is not sent to Numerith or anyone else. Inputs are added to a share link only if you choose to include them. Privacy policy