The energy possessed by a body due to its position or configuration is called potential energy. Consider a body of mass ‘m’ lying on the surface of the earth. Force required to lift the body is equal to its weight
∴ F = mg
Let it be lifted through a height ‘h’
The work done on the body is W = FS
W = mgh
(∵ S = h)
This work done is stored in the body as its potential energy
∴ Ep = mgh
i.e. Gravitational potential energy = mgh Its unit is Joule.
