Question

In gravitational potential energy problems, the quantity (mg) is involved. This represents the ____________.

A. mass of the object
B. speed of the object
C. momentum of the object
D. weight of the object

Answer 1

The quantity (mg) in gravitational potential energy problems represents the weight of the object, not its mass, speed, or momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

In gravitational potential energy problems, the quantity (mg) represents the weight of the object. When we lift an object against gravity, we must exert a force equivalent to its weight, which is the product of its mass (m) and the acceleration due to gravity (g). Therefore, lifting an object through a height (h) requires work equal to the force applied (which is the object's weight) times the distance (height) moved, thus W = mgh defines the gravitational potential energy (PEg) added to the system.