Gravitational potential energy formula

Steps:

• Recall gravitational potential energy is stored energy due to height: PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravity, h is height.
• For an increase in height Δh, change in PE is ΔPE = mg Δh.
• Weight W equals mg, so ΔPE = W Δh.
• Compare options: only D matches weight times height increase.

Why D is correct:

• ΔPE = weight × increase in height directly from formula ΔPE = mgh, where weight = mg.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Mass × velocity is momentum, unrelated to potential energy.
• B: Mass × acceleration is force (Newton's second law), not energy change.
• C: Rate of work is power, which is energy per time, not total energy increase.

Final answer: D