Ontario Grade 9 Science Class Practice Exam 2025 – Your Complete Guide to Exam Success!

Gravitational potential energy refers specifically to the energy that an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field, typically related to its height above a reference point, such as the ground. The higher an object is positioned, the more gravitational potential energy it has because it has the potential to fall and do work as it descends under the influence of gravity.

This form of energy is dependent on both the height of the object and its mass, as expressed in the formula \(PE = mgh\), where \(PE\) is the potential energy, \(m\) is the mass of the object, \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is the height above the reference point.

Other choices describe different forms of energy; for instance, the energy of motion pertains to kinetic energy, while energy transferred during collisions relates to mechanical energy dynamics in more complex systems. Additionally, the energy released during chemical reactions pertains to chemical energy, which is distinct from gravitational potential energy. Thus, the correct answer focuses directly on the energy related to an object’s height in a gravitational field, highlighting the specific definition of gravitational potential energy.