Potential Energy: 0.5 kg Book on a 1 m Shelf
A 0.5 kg book resting on a 1-meter shelf has approximately 4.9 joules of gravitational potential energy.
How to use this tool
- Enter mass, gravitational acceleration and height in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your potential energy and the full breakdown beneath it.
A simple everyday example: the potential energy of a book on a shelf is just under 5 joules.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the reference height?
- PE is always relative to a chosen reference (usually the ground). Only differences in PE matter for energy calculations.
- How is PE related to KE?
- In a frictionless fall, PE converts entirely to KE: mgh = ½mv², giving v = √(2gh) at impact.