Question

An object with a mass of 80 kg is being held at a height of 65 meters. a) Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the object at 65 meters. b) Calculate the velocity of the object as it hits the ground if it is let go.

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of the object at a height of 65 meters is 50,960 J. The velocity of the object as it hits the ground when it is let go is approximately 32 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) To calculate the gravitational potential energy of the object at a height of 65 meters, you can use the formula: Gravitational Potential Energy = mass x height x acceleration due to gravity. Given that the mass of the object is 80 kg, the height is 65 meters, and the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2, the gravitational potential energy is:

Gravitational Potential Energy = 80 kg x 65 m x 9.8 m/s^2 = 50,960 J

b) To calculate the velocity of the object as it hits the ground when it is let go, you can use the formula: Velocity = √(2 x gravitational potential energy / mass). Given that the gravitational potential energy is 50,960 J and the mass is 80 kg, the velocity is:

Velocity = √(2 x 50,960 J / 80 kg) ≈ 32 m/s