Question

Two 5.0 kilogram objects have different gravitational potential energies. What property of the objects must differ?

Answer 1

To have different gravitational potential energies, two objects with the same mass must be at different heights in a gravitational field, since gravitational potential energy is a function of height.

Step-by-step explanation:

If two 5.0-kilogram objects have different gravitational potential energies, the property of the objects that must differ is their height in a gravitational field. The gravitational potential energy (GPE) of an object depends directly on its height above the reference point, usually the ground, according to the equation GPE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height. Since the two objects have the same mass and the acceleration due to gravity is constant at a given location, the height must be the differing property responsible for the difference in potential energy. This is because gravitational potential energy increases with the object's height in the gravitational field, as represented by the Earth-ball system in Figure 18.21, for example.

Answer 2

Height.

Step-by-step explanation:

Potential energy can be defined as an energy possessed by an object or body due to its position.

Mathematically, potential energy is given by the formula;

`P.E = mgh`

Where,

P.E represents potential energy measured in Joules.

m represents the mass of an object.

g represents acceleration due to gravity measured in meters per seconds square.

h represents the height measured in meters.

Hence, the property of the object (having a mass of 5 kilograms) which must differ to have different gravitational potential energies is the height from which they are falling from.

The object having the higher height would have a greater gravitational potential energy than the lower object.