Some objects have energy due to their position above the ground. This is called.
potential energy.
The energy due to the position of an object above the ground is called gravitational potential energy.
The term you are looking for is "potential energy." Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position in a force field, such as the Earth's gravitational field. The amount of potential energy an object has depends on its mass, height, and the acceleration due to gravity.
To understand why certain objects have potential energy due to their position above the ground, we need to consider the concept of work. When an object is lifted or raised above the ground, work is done against the force of gravity. The work done is equal to the force applied multiplied by the distance over which the force is applied.
The formula to calculate the potential energy (PE) of an object is given as:
PE = mgh
Where m represents the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height above the ground.
By using this formula, you can determine the potential energy of an object based on its mass and height. The higher an object is above the ground, the greater its potential energy will be. Similarly, the heavier the object, the more potential energy it will possess at a given height.
It's important to note that potential energy is a form of stored energy and can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy (energy of motion) when the object is allowed to fall or is released from its elevated position.