Let's take a closer look at potential energy. There are three main types of potential energy: gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and chemical potential energy.

Click on the graphic below to learn more about each type of potential energy.

The position or height of an object affects gravitational potential energy. Use the interactive below to explore how height affects gravitational potential energy. The interactive shows a skater on a skateboard track. There are three starting positions.

Position	Height (meters)
A	Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Check Your Answer 1
B	Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Check Your Answer 2
C	Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Check Your Answer 3

Based on what you learned during this exercise, complete the following conclusion.

The greater the starting height of an object the __________ the gravitational potential energy.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

Check Your Answer

The greater the starting height of an object the greater the gravitational potential energy.

The mass of an object also affects potential energy. Use the interactive below to explore how mass affects gravitational potential energy. The interactive shows three balls with three different masses being dropped from the same height onto a foam mat. Click on the "Drop" button to determine which one has more potential energy.

Based on what you learned during this exercise, complete the following conclusion.

The greater the mass of an object the ___________ the gravitational potential energy.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

Check Your Answer

The greater the mass of an object the greater the gravitational potential energy.