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

1 Answer
Jul 3, 2018

#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)#