Question

What is the gravitational potential energy of a wrecking ball that is hung 20 meters above the ground if it has a mass of 200 kg?

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of the ball is 39,200 J

Step-by-step explanation:

Gravitational Potential Energy

It is the energy stored in an object because of its vertical position or height in a gravitational field.

It can be calculated with the equation:

U=m.g.h

Where m is the mass of the object, h is the height with respect to a fixed reference, and g is the acceleration of gravity or
`9.8 m/s^2`.

The wrecking ball is hung at a height of h=20 m and has a mass of m=200 Kg. Substituting in the formula:

U=200*9.8*20

U = 39,200 J

The gravitational potential energy of the ball is 39,200 J