Question

Two stones, one with twice the mass of the other, are thrown straight up and rise to the same height h. Compare their changes in gravitational potential energy.

a. They rise to the same height, so the stone with twice the mass has twice the change in gravitational potential energy.
b. They rise to the same height, so they have the same change in gravitational potential energy.
c. The answer depends on their speeds at height h.

Answer 1

the correct one is the a, U₂ = 2 U₁

Step-by-step explanation:

The gravitational potential energy is

U = m g h

if the stones reach the same height, the energy of the first stone is

U₁ = m₁ g h

The second stone is twice the mass and reaches the same height

m₂ = 2 m₁

potential energy is

U₂ = m₂ g h

U₂ = 2 m₁ g h

U₂ = 2 U₁

therefore the energy is double.

When reviewing the statements, the correct one is the a