How is potential energy calculated for a raised object?

The correct formula for calculating the potential energy of a raised object is derived from the principle that potential energy is related to the object's height above a reference point in a gravitational field. The formula used is potential energy = mass (m) multiplied by gravitational acceleration (g) and the height (h) above the reference point.

In this context, mass represents the amount of matter in the object, gravitational acceleration is the constant force acting on it due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² on Earth), and height is the vertical distance from the reference point to the object's center of mass. By multiplying these three quantities, you effectively quantify the energy stored due to the object's position in the gravitational field.

Therefore, this formula provides the necessary calculation to determine how much potential energy an object has when it is elevated to a certain height, reflecting the energy required to lift the object against gravity. Other options may introduce additional variables such as irrelevant dimensions or incorrect calculations, which do not accurately represent the standard method for calculating gravitational potential energy.