GCSE & IGCSE physics practice

Gravitational potential energy questions and answers

An object gains gravitational potential energy (GPE) when it's lifted: $E_p = mgh$ , with mass in kg, gravitational field strength $g$ in N/kg and height in m. On Earth take $g = 9.8$ N/kg. The last questions link GPE to kinetic energy, a favourite exam combination.

15 questions · Foundation tier · Every answer is checked as you type it, with a full worked solution. Updated 10 Nov 2026.

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Where gravitational potential energy comes up

GCSE (AQA)	Physics and Combined Science, Foundation and Higher. Recall Ep = mgh (on AQA's list of equations to learn).
Cambridge IGCSE (0625)	Supplement (Extended): recall and use the equation for the change in gravitational potential energy, ΔEp = mgΔh.

The method

Ep = m × g × h. Use g = 9.8 N/kg unless the question gives another value.
Rearranged: h = Ep ÷ (mg) and m = Ep ÷ (gh).
When something falls (with no air resistance), GPE lost = kinetic energy gained.

Gravitational potential energy questions

Try each one before looking at the hint. If you're stuck, the AI tutor can talk you through it step by step.

Warm-up

Question 1Warm-upFoundation

A 2 kg book is lifted onto a shelf 1.5 m high. Calculate the gain in GPE. ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 2Warm-upFoundation

A 60 kg climber climbs 200 m up a hill. Calculate their gain in GPE. ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 9Warm-upFoundation

A 70 kg diver stands on a 10 m diving board. How much GPE does the diver have, measured from the water? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 10Warm-upFoundation

A crate has a weight of 400 N. It is lifted 2.5 m onto a lorry. Calculate its gain in GPE.

Exam-style

Question 3Exam-styleFoundation

A 0.5 kg ball gains 24.5 J of GPE when thrown upwards. How high does it rise? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 4Exam-styleFoundation

A crane gives a load 58 800 J of GPE by lifting it 20 m. What is the mass of the load? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 5Exam-styleFoundation

On the Moon, $g = 1.6$ N/kg. How much GPE does an 80 kg astronaut gain climbing 5 m?

Question 6Exam-styleFoundation

A 500 g apple falls 2 m from a tree. How much GPE does it lose? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 11Exam-styleFoundation

A 1200 kg lift gains 352 800 J of GPE. How high does it rise? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 12Exam-styleFoundation

A 1.5 kg drone rises from 20 m to 50 m above the ground. Calculate its gain in GPE. ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 13Exam-styleFoundation

A box gains 147 J of GPE when it is lifted 3 m. What is its mass? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Challenge

Question 7ChallengeFoundation

A ball is dropped from 5 m. Ignoring air resistance, how fast is it moving just before it hits the ground? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg) Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

m/s

Question 8ChallengeFoundation

A 40 kg child slides from the top of a slide 3 m high and reaches the bottom at 6 m/s. How much energy was transferred to heat by friction? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Question 14ChallengeFoundation

A 0.2 kg ball is dropped from a height of 20 m. Ignoring air resistance, how fast is it moving just before it hits the ground? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg) Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

m/s

Question 15ChallengeFoundation

A 50 kg skier starts at rest at the top of a slope 45 m high and reaches the bottom at 25 m/s. How much energy was transferred by friction and air resistance? ( $g = 9.8$ N/kg)

Common mistakes

Using weight (mg) as the mass.
Using a height in cm.
Forgetting the square root when finding the speed after a fall.

Stuck on one of these?

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Sources

The questions are our own. The “where it comes up” notes are from each board's published specification, checked on 27 October 2026:

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