Gravitational potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position in a gravitational field. It is directly related to the mass of the object, the acceleration due to gravity, and the height above a reference point. When an object falls, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. The expected answer should provide a clear definition of gravitational potential energy, explain how it is calculated, and illustrate its connection to kinetic energy through real-world examples. The answer should also touch on the conservation of energy principle.