Which factors affect potential energy?

The correct answer is based on the fundamental definition of gravitational potential energy, which is the energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field. The two key factors that influence this type of potential energy are mass and height.

Mass is crucial because the greater the mass of an object, the more potential energy it has when elevated to a certain height. Essentially, more mass means more weight, and hence more energy must be present for that object to be lifted against gravity.

Height is equally important because potential energy increases with an object's elevation above ground level. The higher the object is lifted, the more gravitational pull it must overcome, resulting in increased potential energy.

Together, mass and height are combined in the equation for gravitational potential energy, which is expressed as:

Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) × gravitational acceleration (g) × height (h).

Understanding these two factors is essential for grasping how potential energy works and its applications in real-world scenarios, such as calculating how much energy a raised object has.