DuckieDai Gravitational Potential Energy Python Program

physics · MIT License

Overview

Solve near-Earth gravitational potential energy, mass, or height from PE = m*g*h using g = 9.8 m/s^2.

Tested on a TI calculator
Downloaded 39 times
Version 1.0.0
3916 bytes
No imports

Download GRAVPE.py Read the source How to install

Before you run it

TI-84 Plus CE Python · tested on OS 5.8.3, Python App 5.8.3.0048
TI Connect CE .py conversion to a Python AppVar in RAM; physically verified one program at a time
Gravitational field strength is fixed at 9.8 m/s^2 and height is measured from the chosen zero level.
Mass and divisors must be positive; height and potential energy may be zero where offered.
The fixed value of g is not suitable when local gravitational field strength differs materially.

Try the DuckieDai calculator screen

Follow the reviewed program's real menu, prompts, validation, calculation, and result flow before downloading.

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Simulation boundary: This preview uses a reviewed browser adapter. It does not execute the downloaded Python and does not prove TI-Python or calculator compatibility.

Learn the math

How gravitational potential energy works

The idea

Lifting an object stores energy in it. Near the Earth's surface that stored energy is the object's mass times the strength of gravity times its height.

The height is measured from whatever level you call zero, usually the floor or the lowest point in the problem.

The formula

PE = m*g*h

PE: gravitational potential energy in joules (J)
m: mass (kg)
g: 9.8 m/s^2, built into the program
h: height above the zero level (m)

Using the program

Choose what to solve for: 1 potential energy, 2 mass, or 3 height.
Enter the two values you know. Press Enter to move from the working screen to the answer.

Worked example

A 2 kg book sits on a shelf 10 m above the floor. Choose 1 and enter mass 2 and height 10.

PE = 2.0 x 9.8 x 10.0

The program shows PE = 196.0 joules.

Tips and common mistakes

The program always uses g = 9.8. If your class uses 9.81 or 10, expect a slightly different answer.
Only the change in height matters, so choose a zero level and stay with it.
This formula is for heights small compared with the Earth. For planets and satellites use Universal Gravitation.

Where this comes up

You meet it in the energy unit of high school and college physics, most often in conservation of energy problems: roller coasters, pendulums, falling objects, and anything on a ramp.

Exact reviewed bytes

Source code

Download .py

View source below, copy it when JavaScript is available, or download the exact .py bytes.

"""DuckieDai Potential Energy for TI-84 Plus CE Python."""


def duckiedai_intro(program_name, wait=True):
    """Show the reusable DuckieDai program opening."""
    title = program_name[:16]
    empty = 16 - len(title)
    left = empty // 2
    right = empty - left

    print("+----------------------+")
    print("|   " + " " * left + title + " " * right + "   |")
    print("|                      |")
    print("|       __             |")
    print("|   ___(o )>  quack!   |")
    print("|   \\ <_. )           |")
    print("|    `---'             |")
    print("|     by DuckieDai     |")
    print("+----------------------+")
    print("Loading...")

    if wait:
        input("Press enter to start ")
        print("\n" * 6)


def positive_number(prompt):
    """Ask until a positive finite number is entered."""
    while True:
        try:
            value = float(input(prompt))

            if value > 0 and value < 1e100:
                return value

        except ValueError:
            pass

        print("Enter a number above 0.")


def nonnegative_number(prompt):
    """Allow zero or positive values."""
    while True:
        try:
            value = float(input(prompt))

            if value >= 0 and value < 1e100:
                return value

        except ValueError:
            pass

        print("Enter 0 or greater.")


def show_answer(name, value, unit):
    input("Press enter for answer ")
    print("\n" * 6)
    print("ANSWER")
    print(name + " = " + str(value))
    print(unit)


def main():
    duckiedai_intro("POTENTIAL ENERGY")

    g = 9.8

    print("GRAVITATIONAL PE")
    print()
    print("Formula: PE = m*g*h")
    print("Using g = 9.8 m/s^2")
    input("Press enter for menu ")
    print("\n" * 6)
    print()
    print("What do you need?")
    print()
    print("1. Potential Energy")
    print("2. Mass")
    print("3. Height")
    print()

    choice = input("Choose 1-3: ")

    print()

    # ==========================================
    # 1. SOLVE POTENTIAL ENERGY
    # PE = m*g*h
    # ==========================================

    if choice == "1":

        mass = positive_number("Mass (kg): ")
        height = nonnegative_number("Height (m): ")

        pe = mass * g * height

        print()
        print("Using:")
        print("PE = m*g*h")
        print()
        print("PE = " + str(mass))
        print("x " + str(g))
        print("x " + str(height))

        show_answer(
            "PE",
            pe,
            "joules"
        )

    # ==========================================
    # 2. SOLVE MASS
    # m = PE / (g*h)
    # ==========================================

    elif choice == "2":

        pe = nonnegative_number("PE (J): ")
        height = positive_number("Height (m): ")

        mass = pe / (g * height)

        print()
        print("Using:")
        print("PE = m*g*h")
        print()
        print("Rearranged:")
        print("m = PE/(g*h)")

        show_answer(
            "m",
            mass,
            "kg"
        )

    # ==========================================
    # 3. SOLVE HEIGHT
    # h = PE / (m*g)
    # ==========================================

    elif choice == "3":

        pe = nonnegative_number("PE (J): ")
        mass = positive_number("Mass (kg): ")

        height = pe / (mass * g)

        print()
        print("Using:")
        print("PE = m*g*h")
        print()
        print("Rearranged:")
        print("h = PE/(m*g)")

        show_answer(
            "h",
            height,
            "meters"
        )

    else:
        print("Invalid choice.")

    print()
    print("DuckieDai says: done!")


# TI-Python imports the selected AppVar rather than
# setting __name__ to main.
main()

"""DuckieDai Potential Energy for TI-84 Plus CE Python."""
def duckiedai_intro(program_name, wait=True):
"""Show the reusable DuckieDai program opening."""
title = program_name[:16]
empty = 16 - len(title)
left = empty // 2
right = empty - left
print("+----------------------+")
print("| " + " " * left + title + " " * right + " |")
print("| |")
print("| __ |")
print("| ___(o )> quack! |")
print("| \\ <_. ) |")
print("| `---' |")
print("| by DuckieDai |")
print("+----------------------+")
print("Loading...")
if wait:
input("Press enter to start ")
print("\n" * 6)
def positive_number(prompt):
"""Ask until a positive finite number is entered."""
while True:
try:
value = float(input(prompt))
if value > 0 and value < 1e100:
return value
except ValueError:
pass
print("Enter a number above 0.")
def nonnegative_number(prompt):
"""Allow zero or positive values."""
while True:
try:
value = float(input(prompt))
if value >= 0 and value < 1e100:
return value
except ValueError:
pass
print("Enter 0 or greater.")
def show_answer(name, value, unit):
input("Press enter for answer ")
print("\n" * 6)
print("ANSWER")
print(name + " = " + str(value))
print(unit)
def main():
duckiedai_intro("POTENTIAL ENERGY")
g = 9.8
print("GRAVITATIONAL PE")
print()
print("Formula: PE = m*g*h")
print("Using g = 9.8 m/s^2")
input("Press enter for menu ")
print("\n" * 6)
print()
print("What do you need?")
print()
print("1. Potential Energy")
print("2. Mass")
print("3. Height")
print()
choice = input("Choose 1-3: ")
print()
# ==========================================
# 1. SOLVE POTENTIAL ENERGY
# PE = m*g*h
# ==========================================
if choice == "1":
mass = positive_number("Mass (kg): ")
height = nonnegative_number("Height (m): ")
pe = mass * g * height
print()
print("Using:")
print("PE = m*g*h")
print()
print("PE = " + str(mass))
print("x " + str(g))
print("x " + str(height))
show_answer(
"PE",
pe,
"joules"
)
# ==========================================
# 2. SOLVE MASS
# m = PE / (g*h)
# ==========================================
elif choice == "2":
pe = nonnegative_number("PE (J): ")
height = positive_number("Height (m): ")
mass = pe / (g * height)
print()
print("Using:")
print("PE = m*g*h")
print()
print("Rearranged:")
print("m = PE/(g*h)")
show_answer(
"m",
mass,
"kg"
)
# ==========================================
# 3. SOLVE HEIGHT
# h = PE / (m*g)
# ==========================================
elif choice == "3":
pe = nonnegative_number("PE (J): ")
mass = positive_number("Mass (kg): ")
height = pe / (mass * g)
print()
print("Using:")
print("PE = m*g*h")
print()
print("Rearranged:")
print("h = PE/(m*g)")
show_answer(
"h",
height,
"meters"
)
else:
print("Invalid choice.")
print()
print("DuckieDai says: done!")
# TI-Python imports the selected AppVar rather than
# setting __name__ to main.
main()

Filename: GRAVPE.py
Size: 3916 bytes
SHA-256: ae1c282439e58780c9af76733d080f0e862b09e898755dfb0311fd3022518ba6

Usage

Inputs

Requested unknown: potential energy, mass, or height
Two known values using kilograms, metres, and joules

Outputs

Requested quantity using PE = m*g*h

Units: Mass uses kilograms, height uses metres, and energy uses joules.

Assumptions and limitations

Assumptions

Gravitational field strength is fixed at 9.8 m/s^2 and height is measured from the chosen zero level.

Constraints

Mass and divisors must be positive; height and potential energy may be zero where offered.

Known failures

The fixed value of g is not suitable when local gravitational field strength differs materially.

Compatibility and review

Review status: Tested on a TI calculator
Tested on: TI-84 Plus CE Python; OS 5.8.3; Python App 5.8.3.0048; exact paginated .py transferred through TI Connect CE into RAM and tested individually
What happened: Passed: branded intro, paginated potential energy menu, calculation workflow, and answer screen ran on the physical calculator
Dependencies: No imports
Suggested calculator name: GRAVPE — you can give it another valid, unique name when you transfer it
Desktop test cases: Not available for this interactive-only source

This exact source auto-launches an interactive calculator session, so compatibility evidence comes from the recorded physical-device review rather than an importable desktop fixture.

Transfer and launch

Download the .py file, send it to your calculator with TI Connect CE as GRAVPE or another name, then open the Python App and try the worked example on this page first.

Full installation and troubleshooting guide. Check your teacher's or exam's rules before using any program.

Version history

1.0.0 — current version, published 2026-09-23. Download this reviewed version

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