Final answer:
The gravitational potential energy of a 2.0-kg book on a shelf 1.6 m high is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, which yields 31.36 Joules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to calculating the gravitational potential energy of a book placed on a shelf. In physics, the formula to calculate the gravitational potential energy (PE) is given by PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above the reference point, which in this case is the ground.
Given that the book has a mass of 2.0 kg, and the height of the shelf is 1.6 m, and using the standard value for the acceleration due to gravity which is 9.8 m/s2, the gravitational potential energy can be calculated as follows:
PE = mgh = (2.0 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(1.6 m) = 31.36 J (Joules)
Therefore, the gravitational potential energy of the 2.0-kg book relative to the ground is 31.36 Joules.