- 1). Measure either the mass or the weight of the object. A mass balance determines mass, while a scale measures weight. Whichever you use, convert the measurement to standard metric units: kg for mass or newtons -- kg*m/s^2 -- for weight.
- 2). Measure the height of the object above the floor or ground and convert the measurement to meters.
- 3). Multiply the mass by the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.8 m/s^2, to obtain the weight. Skip this step if you measured the weight.
- 4). Multiply the weight by the height. This is the gravitational potential energy in Joules.
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