Question

Which mass has the greatest potential energy with respect to the floor?

1) 2kg mass 10 m above floor
2) 6kg mass 5 m above floor
3) 50 kg mass resting on floor
4) 10 kg mass 2 m above floor

Answer 1

The 6 kg mass 5 m above the floor has the greatest potential energy of 300 J when calculated using the formula PE = m * g * h.

Step-by-step explanation:

Potential energy is a form of energy that is stored in an object due to its position or height. The formula to calculate gravitational potential energy is PE = m * g * h, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 10 m/s²), and h is the height above the reference point. For a 2 kg mass at a height of 10 m, the potential energy is 2 kg * 10 m/s² * 10 m = 200 J. For a 6 kg mass at a height of 5 m, the potential energy is 6 kg * 10 m/s² * 5 m = 300 J. For a 50 kg mass resting on the floor, the potential energy is 0 J because it is at the reference point. For a 10 kg mass at a height of 2 m, the potential energy is 10 kg * 10 m/s² * 2 m = 200 J. Thus, the mass with the greatest potential energy with respect to the floor is the 6 kg mass 5 m above the floor, with 300 J of potential energy.