What Is Gravitational Energy? — Reading Comprehension

Grades

Standards

MS-PS3-4
4-PS3-3
4-PS3-2

About This Reader

This engaging science passage for middle school students explores the concept of gravitational energy, a form of potential energy described in NGSS standard MS-PS3-4. The text explains how gravitational energy is stored based on an object’s height and mass, and how it converts into kinetic energy as the object falls. Real-world examples like waterfalls, swinging on a swing, and standing on a diving board help students connect theory with practice. The passage supports reading comprehension, introduces key science vocabulary, and includes 8 multiple-choice questions that cover factual recall, application, and main idea. This resource is ideal for science teachers seeking standards-aligned content to reinforce energy concepts in a classroom or remote learning environment. It's also perfect for students preparing for assessments or practicing informational text analysis in line with Common Core and NGSS literacy in science goals.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Gravitational energy is a type of potential energy. It is the energy stored in an object because of its position above the ground. The higher an object is, the more gravitational energy it has. This is because gravity is always pulling things down toward Earth.

For example, when you hold a book above your head, it has more gravitational energy than when it’s on a table. If you drop it, the energy changes from potential to kinetic energy as it falls. The heavier the object and the higher it's lifted, the more gravitational energy it stores.

Gravitational energy is all around us. Water in a mountain reservoir has gravitational energy. When released, the water flows downhill, turning turbines to produce electricity. This is how many hydroelectric dams work—they turn gravitational energy into electrical energy.

Even sports use gravitational energy. Think of a diver standing on a high platform. The diver has stored energy because of height. As the diver jumps, that energy becomes motion.

Gravitational energy depends on mass, height, and gravity. On the Moon, where gravity is weaker, the same object would have less gravitational energy than on Earth.

Understanding gravitational energy helps engineers design roller coasters, elevators, and even rescue equipment. It's a powerful force that plays a major role in our everyday lives.

Fun Fact: Did you know that astronauts bounce higher on the Moon because the Moon’s gravity is only one-sixth as strong as Earth’s? That also means objects have much less gravitational energy up there!

What type of energy is gravitational energy?

Kinetic energyThermal energyPotential energyChemical energy

What causes gravitational energy?

FrictionElectricityHeight and gravitySound

Which situation has the most gravitational energy?

A ball on the floorA book lying on a deskA rock on a hilltopA paperclip on a chair

What happens when an object falls from a height?

Gravitational energy disappearsGravitational energy turns into kinetic energyGravity stops workingThe object floats

How do hydroelectric dams use gravitational energy?

They burn it for fuelThey store it as soundThey turn falling water into electricityThey freeze the water

What does gravitational energy depend on?

Color, weight, and shapeGravity, mass, and heightTemperature, speed, and timePressure, size, and age