Potential Energy Calculator

Calculate Gravitational & Elastic PE

Calculate gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh) and elastic potential energy (PE = ½kx²) with step-by-step solutions.

Energy Parameters

kg
m/s²

Default: 9.81 m/s² (Earth)

m

Formula

PE = m × g × h

About PE

Gravitational PE is the energy stored due to an object's position in a gravitational field.

Common Units

  • • Joule (J) - SI unit
  • • Kilojoule (kJ) = 1000 J
  • • Calorie (cal) ≈ 4.184 J
  • • Electronvolt (eV)

Gravitational PE

Energy stored due to position in a gravitational field. Depends on mass, gravity, and height.

Examples:

  • Water in a dam
  • Compressed spring
  • Stretched rubber band

Elastic PE

Energy stored in elastic materials when deformed. Depends on spring constant and displacement.

Examples:

  • potentialEnergy.example4
  • potentialEnergy.example5
  • potentialEnergy.example6