Question

Old-fashioned pendulum clocks are powered by masses that need to be wound back to the top of the clock about once a week to counteract energy lost due to friction and to the chimes. One particular clock has three masses: 4.0 kg, 4.0 kg, and 6.0 kg. They can drop 1.3 meters. How much energy does the clock use in a week?

Answer 1

Energy, E = 178.36 J

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass 1,
`m_1=4\ kg`

Mass 2,
`m_2=4\ kg`

Mass 3,
`m_3=6\ kg`

Height from which they are dropped, h = 1.3 m

Let m is the energy used by the clock in a week. The energy is equal to the gravitational potential energy. It is given by :

`E=(m_1+m_2+m_3)gh`

`E=(4+4+6)* 9.8* 1.3`

E = 178.36 J

So, the energy used by the clock in a week is 178.36 Joules. Hence, this is the required solution.