Question

What is the gravitational potential energy of a `2 kg` object on a shelf `1/4 m` high?

Answer 1

`4.9` joules

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is given by the equation:

`E=mgh`

where:

• `E` is the gravitational potential energy in joules

• `m` is the mass of the object in kilograms

• `g` is the gravitational acceleration, which is around `9.8 \ "m/s"^2` on Earth

• `h` is the height of the object in meters

So, we get:

`E=2 \ "kg"*9.8 \ "m/s"^2*1/4 \ "m"`

`=4.9 \ "kg m"^2"/s"^2`

`=4.9 \ "J" \ (because 1 \ "J"-=1 \ "kg m"^2"/s"^2)`