Gravitational potential energy is the [[Energy|energy]] associated with displacing an object a vertical [[Distance|distance]] within a gravitational field. Gravitational potential energy is [[Path Dependence|path independent]].
$\Delta P=\sum m_egz_e−\sum m_igz_i$
Where:
- $\Delta P$ is the change in gravitational potential energy
- $m_e$ and $m_i$ are the final and initial [[Mass|masses]] of the system respectively
- $g$ is [[Local Gravitational Acceleration|local gravitational acceleration]]
- $z_e$ and $z_i$ are the final and initial heights of the system respectively