Question

A 5.0-kg object is suspended from the ceiling by a strong spring, which stretches 0.20 m when the object is attached. The object is lifted 0.060 m from this equilibrium position and released. What is the potential energy of the object when it is lifted?

1) 0.294 J
2) 0.588 J
3) 0.882 J
4) 1.176 J

Answer 1

To find the potential energy when an object is lifted, use the gravitational potential energy formula U = mgh. For a 5.0-kg mass lifted 0.060 m, the potential energy is 0.294 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy of an object when lifted can be calculated using the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is U = mgh, where m is the mass, g the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2 on Earth's surface), and h is the height above the equilibrium position. In this question, the mass m is 5.0 kg and the height h is 0.060 m. Plugging in these values leads to:

U = 5.0 kg × 9.8 m/s2 × 0.060 m = 2.94 J

So, the correct answer is 1) 0.294 J.