Potential Energy of a 500 kg Car at 20 m Cliff
A 500 kg car perched on a 20-meter cliff holds 98,100 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.
Calculate the gravitational potential energy stored in a 500 kg vehicle positioned 20 meters above the ground.
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.