Gravitational potential energy

Question: How much potential energy does a brick with a mass of 1 kg gain if it is lifted 4 m?

Answer:

Step 1: Analyze the question to determine what information is provided

• The mass of the brick is
  
• The height lifted is
  

These are in the correct units so we do not have to worry about unit conversions.

Step 2: Analyze the question to determine what is being asked

• We are asked to find the gain in potential energy of the object.

Step 3: Identify the type of potential energy involved

Since the block is being lifted we are dealing with gravitational potential energy. To work out we need to know the mass of the object and the height lifted. As both of these are given, we just substitute them into the question for .

Step 4: Substitute and calculate