8 - Calculating PE

Front

What is the formula for calculating potential energy (PE)?

Back

The formula for calculating potential energy is PE = mgh, where m is mass (in kg), g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²), and h is height (in meters).

Front

What units are used to measure potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is measured in Joules (J).

Front

If an object has a mass of 5 kg and is at a height of 30 meters, what is its potential energy?

Back

The potential energy is 1470 Joules, calculated using the formula PE = mgh (5 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 30 m).

Front

How does increasing the height of an object affect its potential energy?

Back

Increasing the height of an object increases its potential energy, as potential energy is directly proportional to height (PE = mgh).

Front

What is the potential energy of a 10 kg ball held 2.5 meters above the ground?

Back

The potential energy is 245 Joules, calculated using PE = mgh (10 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 2.5 m).

Front

What is the potential energy of a skier with a mass of 110 kg on a ski jump that is 40 meters high?

Back

The potential energy is 43,120 Joules, calculated using PE = mgh (110 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 40 m).

Front

How do you calculate potential energy if you know the weight of an object instead of its mass?

Back

If you know the weight (in Newtons) of an object, you can use the formula PE = weight * height (PE = W * h).

Front

What is the potential energy of an object weighing 147 Newtons sitting on a shelf 20 meters high?

Back

The potential energy is 2940 Joules, calculated using PE = W * h (147 N * 20 m).

Front

What is the relationship between mass and potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is directly proportional to mass; as mass increases, potential energy increases if height remains constant (PE = mgh).

Front

What is the value of acceleration due to gravity (g) used in potential energy calculations?

Back

The value of acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.81 m/s² on the surface of the Earth.