Question

Derive an expression for potential energy.

Answer 1

Potential energy: It is the energy that is possessed by a body by virtue of its position or height or change in the shape of the body.

Deriving an expression:

Assume, Work done on the object against gravitational force = $W$

$Workdone$ = $force\times displacement$

$Workdone$= $mg\times h$

Since, work done on the object is equal to $mgh$ , the energy equal to this expression is gained by an object called potential energy.

Hence, potential energy $P.E=mgh$