Question

Write an expression for the potential energy of a body of mass m placed at a height h above the earth's surface. State the assumptions made, if any.

Answer 1

Expression for potential energy = mgh

Assumptions made :

1. Potential energy on the ground is zero.
2. The earth's gravitational potential energy increases and its force of attraction diminishes with increasing distance from the body's surface (i.e., the negative value of energy decreases).