Final answer:
The gravitational potential energy of a 5kg ball held 10 meters in the air is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, with m=5kg, g=9.8 m/s², and h=10m, yielding a result of 490 J.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking for the gravitational potential energy of a 5kg ball held 10 meters above the ground. The formula to calculate potential energy (PE) is PE = mgh, where 'm' is the mass in kilograms, 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s² on Earth), and 'h' is the height in meters.
Plugging in the values:
PE = 5 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 10 m = 49 kg·m²/s² × 10 = 490 J
So, the correct answer is A) 490 J.