Question

A car of mass m traveling at speed v moves on a horizontal track so that the center of mass describes a circle of radius r. 2a is the separation of the inner and outer wheels, and h is the height of the center of mass above the ground.

Determine the gravitational potential energy

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of an object like a car is 492129.36 Joules

The gravitational potential energy of an object like a car can be calculated using the formula PE = mgh, given the object's mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and the height above a reference point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gravitational potential energy (PE) of an object is defined by its position in a gravitational field and is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity (usually 9.81 m/s² on Earth), and h is the height of the object above a defined zero level. In the example of a car parked atop a parking garage, the potential energy relative to street level can be calculated.

Using the given mass m = 1360 kg and the height of the parking structure h = 36.6 m, the gravitational potential energy can be calculated as:

PE = mgh
PE = 1360 kg × 9.81 m/s² × 36.6 m
PE = 492129.36 kg·m²/s²
PE = 492129.36 Joules

This value is indicative of the work that would be required to raise the car from street level to the top level of the garage.