Gravitational Potential Energy Concepts

This video tutorial covers the concept of gravitational potential energy (GPE), explaining how it is the energy stored in an object due to its position above the Earth's surface. The video introduces the equation for calculating GPE, which involves mass, gravitational field strength, and height. It provides an example problem involving an athlete's high jump and offers practice questions with solutions to reinforce understanding. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of using correct units and converting them when necessary.

What is gravitational potential energy?

• Energy generated by an electric current

• Energy released during a chemical reaction

• Energy stored due to an object's position above the Earth's surface

• Energy stored due to an object's motion

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating gravitational potential energy?

• GPE = mass + gravitational field strength + height

• GPE = mass * gravitational field strength * height

• GPE = mass - gravitational field strength - height

• GPE = mass / gravitational field strength / height

In the formula for gravitational potential energy, what is the unit for mass?

• Meters

• Kilograms

• Newtons

• Joules

An athlete with a mass of 80 kg jumps 2 meters high. If the gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg, what is the gravitational potential energy?

• 160 Joules

• 3200 Joules

• 800 Joules

• 1600 Joules

A baseball with a mass of 0.15 kg is hit 20 meters into the air. What is its gravitational potential energy if the gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg?

• 15 Joules

• 30 Joules

• 45 Joules

• 60 Joules

A bird with a mass of 2 kg is flying 50 meters high. If the gravitational field strength is 9.81 N/kg, what is its gravitational potential energy?

• 2452 Joules

• 1962 Joules

• 3924 Joules

• 981 Joules

An astronaut on Jupiter jumps 1.5 meters high with a gravitational potential energy of 2789 Joules. If her mass is 75 kg, what is the gravitational field strength on Jupiter?

• 32.2 N/kg

• 15.6 N/kg

• 9.81 N/kg

• 24.8 N/kg

What is the gravitational field strength on Earth typically used in calculations?

• 11 N/kg

• 9.81 N/kg

• 8.9 N/kg

• 10 N/kg

If the gravitational potential energy of an object is 500 Joules, its mass is 10 kg, and it is 5 meters above the ground, what is the gravitational field strength?

• 9.8 N/kg

• 10 N/kg

• 11 N/kg

• 12 N/kg

Which of the following factors does NOT affect gravitational potential energy?

• Mass of the object

• Gravitational field strength

• Color of the object

• Height above the ground