In IB Physics, gravitational potential energy is defined as the energy stored in a mass due to its position in a gravitational field. If a mass is lifted, it will gain gravitational potential energy. If a mass falls, it will lose gravitational potential energy.
The equation for gravitational potential energy of an object when close to the surface of the Earth is:
Where:
= gravitational potential energy (
)
= mass (
)
= gravitational field strength (
)
= change in height (
)

The potential energy on the Earth’s surface at ground level is usually taken to be equal to zero. However, any position can be taken as zero if you are calculating the change in gravitational potential energy.
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