Calculator Inputs
This page keeps a single-column flow. Inside the calculator, fields use three columns on large screens, two on medium screens, and one on mobile.
Example Data Table
| System | Key Inputs | Formula | Example Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near-Surface Gravitational | m = 2 kg, h = 5 m, g = 9.81 m/s² | Uᵢ = mghᵢ | 98.10 J |
| Elastic Spring | k = 250 N/m, x = 0.20 m | Uᵢ = ½kxᵢ² | 5.00 J |
| Electric | q = 3 μC, V = 1200 V | Uᵢ = qVᵢ | 0.0036 J |
| Universal Gravitational | m = 1000 kg, M = Earth, r = 6,371,000 m | Uᵢ = -GMm/rᵢ | -6.256e10 J |
Formula Used
m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and hᵢ is initial height above the chosen reference level.
k is the spring constant and xᵢ is the initial displacement from equilibrium. A negative displacement still gives positive spring energy after squaring.
q is electric charge and Vᵢ is the electric potential at the initial point. The sign depends on both values.
G is the universal gravitational constant, M is source mass, m is object mass, and rᵢ is initial separation between centers.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the physical model that matches your problem.
- Enter the starting values and their units.
- Set decimal places and graph sample count.
- Click the calculate button.
- Review the result card above the form.
- Use the graph to see how energy changes with the main variable.
- Download the report as CSV or PDF if needed.
FAQs
1. What is initial potential energy?
Initial potential energy is the stored energy a system has at its starting position or starting configuration relative to a chosen reference state.
2. Which formulas does this calculator support?
It supports near-surface gravitational energy, spring energy, electric potential energy, and universal gravitational potential energy for two masses.
3. Why can spring energy stay positive when displacement is negative?
Spring energy depends on displacement squared. Squaring removes the sign, so positive and negative displacements with the same magnitude give the same stored energy.
4. Why is universal gravitational potential energy negative?
The negative sign indicates a bound system. Work must be added to separate the masses to an infinite distance where the reference potential is taken as zero.
5. Do I need to enter SI units only?
No. You can choose from several unit options. The calculator converts values to SI internally before applying the selected equation.
6. What is the difference between electric potential and electric potential energy?
Electric potential is energy per unit charge. Electric potential energy equals charge multiplied by electric potential at the chosen initial point.
7. Can I export my result?
Yes. After calculating, use the CSV or PDF buttons to save a compact report with the selected model, formula, converted values, and result.
8. Why does the graph change when I switch models?
Each model uses a different controlling variable. Height, displacement, electric potential, or separation distance becomes the graph axis depending on the selected system.