Question

When the object of mass m2 has descended a distance h, the potential energy of the system has decreased by a) (mx-ma)gh b) (magh) c) (mu+ma)gh d) % (mi+mzigh e) o

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of a system decreases by
`m_(2)gh` when an object with mass m2 descends a height h, which corresponds to the work done by gravity.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an object of mass m2 descends a height h, the gravitational potential energy (UG) of the system decreases. This is because the work done by gravity, denoted as
`W_(donebygravity)`, is equal to the loss of potential energy. According to the formula ΔUG =
`-m_(2)gh`, the potential energy decreases by the value
`m_(2)gh`. Since the object is descending, the change in potential energy is negative, showing that energy is being released from the system. No other masses are mentioned in the question, so the correct answer to the decrease in potential energy is option b, which is
`m_(2)gh`.