Final answer:
A stationary block of wood has chemical potential energy stored within its chemical bonds, but unless it undergoes a reaction, this energy isn't released, and its gravitational potential energy is only relevant if it's moved in a gravitational field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy contained in a stationary block of wood of mass 3.80 kg can be considered in terms of its chemical potential energy, which is the energy stored within the chemical bonds of the wood. However, without undergoing a chemical reaction, such as combustion, the energy is not released.
Therefore, if the block is simply stationary and not interacting with anything else, we cannot provide a meaningful value for its energy content in terms of doing work or moving. One might consider its gravitational potential energy, but if it remains at the same height and position, this energy also does not change and only becomes relevant if the block is moved in a gravitational field.
The amount of energy contained in a stationary block of wood can be determined using the equation for gravitational potential energy:
PE = mgh
Where:
PE is the gravitational potential energy
m is the mass of the block (3.80 kg)
g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
h is the height above the reference point
Since the block is stationary, its height above the reference point is zero. Therefore, the gravitational potential energy is also zero.