Final answer:
An object possesses gravitational potential energy when it is positioned high above a reference point, allowing it to potentially fall due to gravity. The energy is calculated using the formula P.E. = mgh and is measured in Joules. This potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as the object falls.
Step-by-step explanation:
An object has gravitational potential energy when it is lifted against the force of gravity to a position where it has the potential to fall. The formula to calculate this energy is P.E. = mgh, where 'm' represents the mass of the object, 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²), and 'h' is the height it is lifted through.
Gravitational potential energy is a type of energy that is stored in an object due to its height above a reference point, usually Earth's surface. This potential energy becomes kinetic energy as the object falls, accelerating due to gravitational pull. Notably, the gravitational potential energy is considered a property of the object-Earth system and must be calculated relative to a reference level.
The concept of gravitational potential energy is crucial in understanding energy conversion in many physical situations and is often used in the study of mechanics. Its unit of measurement is the Joule.