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What is the potential energy of a 2,000-kg car parked at the top of a 30-m hill?

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Potential energy is a relative measure, so the answer is dependent on the assumptions we make. The potential energy in the car is going to be gravitational potential energy(PE). PE = mgh, where m is the mass, g is 9.8 m/s^2, and h is the height. So PE = 2000*9.8*h = 19600h. The final answer obviously depends on h. Most likely the problem is assuming that 30 meters under the top of the hill is considered 0 meters. Then h would be 30m and PE would equal 588 kJ.
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