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What is the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of an 11 kg rock resting on top of a 13m high cliff?

Option 1: 1430 J
Option 2: 1573 J
Option 3: 1353 J
Option 4: 1496 J

User TimSalabim
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The gravitational potential energy of an 11 kg rock at a height of 13 m, using the approximation g = 10 m/s², is calculated as G.P.E. = mgh = 11 kg × 10 m/s² × 13 m, which equals 1430 J, corresponding to Option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of an object resting at a height, we use the formula G.P.E. = mgh, where m is the mass of the object in kilograms, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² or 10 m/s² for simplified calculations), and h is the height above the reference point in meters. In this case, we are trying to find the gravitational potential energy of an 11 kg rock situated on a 13 m high cliff.

Using the given data:

  • Mass (m) = 11 kg
  • Height (h) = 13 m
  • Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s² (rounded to 10 m/s² for simplicity)

The calculation is:

G.P.E. = mgh = 11 kg × 10 m/s² × 13 m = 1430 J

Therefore, the gravitational potential energy of the rock is 1430 J, which corresponds to Option 1.

User Akshay Rana
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