Final answer:
To find the mass of the apple, given its potential energy of 8.4 joules and a height of 6 meters, we use the potential energy formula and solve for mass. The mass of the apple is approximately 0.143 kilograms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the calculation of an apple's mass given its potential energy and the height from which it might fall. Using the formula for potential energy, PE = mgh (where PE is potential energy, m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height), we can rearrange the formula to solve for mass (m) as m = PE / (gh). Given that the potential energy of an apple is 8.4 joules and the apple is 6 meters high, and assuming that the acceleration due to gravity (g) is 9.8 m/s2, the calculation would be:
m = 8.4 J / (9.8 m/s2 × 6 m)
Thus, we find:
m = 8.4 J /(58.8 J/kg) = approximately 0.143 kg.
Therefore, the mass of the apple is approximately 0.143 kilograms.