This introduction covers The Power of Height within Gravitational Potential Energy for GCSE Physics. Revise Gravitational Potential Energy in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 1 of 16 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📖 The Power of Height
The Hoover Dam holds back 35 billion cubic metres of water — enough to flood a small country several metres deep. That water isn't moving, but it stores an absolutely COLOSSAL amount of energy just by being high up. When water falls 180 metres through turbines, gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic, then to electrical. The dam generates 4 billion kilowatt-hours per year — enough for 1.3 million homes! All that power from water that was lifted by the Sun evaporating oceans millions of years ago. Height = stored energy, waiting to be released.
GPE Equation (ON FORMULA SHEET ✓)
Ep = mgh
GPE (J) = mass (kg) × gravitational field strength (N/kg) × height (m)
Practice questions for Gravitational Potential Energy
What is the value of gravitational field strength (g) on Earth?
Explain how gravitational potential energy is related to an object's mass and height. Refer to the equation Ep = mgh in your answer.
Quick recall flashcards
GPE ∝ g
same object at same height on Moon has 1/6 the GPE as on Earth
GPE ∝ mass
double the mass, double the GPE (directly proportional)