To calculate the gravitational potential energy of a 500 g object at a height of 3.5 m, we convert the mass to kilograms and apply the formula P.E. = mgh, yielding a potential energy of 17.15 Joules.
To find the gravitational potential energy of a 500 g object sitting on a shelf 3.5 m above the ground, we use the formula P.E. = mgh where m is the mass in kilograms, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²), and h is the height in meters. First, convert the mass from grams to kilograms by dividing by 1000, so the mass (m) is 0.5 kg.
Now, plug in the values into the equation: P.E. = 0.5 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 3.5 m That gives us: P.E. = 17.15 J
So, the gravitational potential energy of the object is 17.15 Joules.