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The formula for calculating potential energy in a gravitational field is given by PE = mgh, where "m" represents the mass of the object, "g" is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² near the Earth's surface), and "h" is the height of the object above a reference point. This expression accounts for the work done against gravity to elevate the mass to a height "h."
In contexts where gravitational forces are acting, this formula directly relates to how much potential energy an object possesses due to its position. When you lift an object, you are doing work to increase its height in the gravitational field, thus increasing its potential energy.
This concept is fundamental in physics, as it applies to various situations, such as lifting objects in a gravitational field, where the work done is stored as gravitational potential energy.
The other formulas listed relate to different forms of energy. For example, one represents the potential energy stored in a spring (1/2kx²), while another pertains to the ideal gas law (PV = nRT). These are not applicable in the context of gravitational potential energy, hence they do not serve as valid options for this particular question.