Question

Does the potential energy of an object near the surface of the Earth change if it moves with constant velocity in the horizontal direction? What if the object is gradually raised in the vertical direction?

Answer 1

U = mgh, which is dependent on the item's height h above the Earth's surface, is the potential energy of an object close to the surface.

The object's height h remains constant when it travels horizontally at a constant speed. As a result, its potential energy remains constant.

The object's height h grows as it is gradually raised vertically. Its potential energy rises as a result.