Question

Calculate the potential energy of a 6kg bowling ball suspended 3m above the surface of the earth

Answer 1

m = Mass of the bowling ball suspended above the surface of earth = 6 kg

g = Acceleration due to gravity by earth on the bowling ball = 9.8 m/s²

h = Height above the surface of earth = 3 m

U = Potential energy of the bowling ball

Gravitational potential energy of the bowling ball is given as . hence

U = m g h

inserting the values

U = (6) (9.8) (3)

U = 176.4 J

Answer 2

Answer: 176.58 J

Explanation:

A body possess potential energy due to virtue of its position. It is given by:

P.E. = m g h

where, m is mass of the body, g is acceleration due to gravity and h is the height at which object is placed.

Given:

m = 6 kg

g = 9.81 m/s²

h = 3 m

⇒P.E. = 6 kg × 9.81 m/s² × 3 m = 176.58 J

Hence, the potential energy of a bowling ball having mass 6 kg and suspended at a height of 3 m is 176.58 J.