Question

If a 5 kg bowling ball is lifted to a height of 2 meters, how much potential

energy does it have?

Answer 1

`\boxed {\boxed {\sf 98.1 \ Joules}}`

Step-by-step explanation:

The formula for potential energy is:

`E_p=mgh`

where m is the mass, g is the gravitational acceleration, and h is the height.

The mass is 5 kilograms and the height is 2 meters. Assuming this ball is on Earth, then the gravitational acceleration is 9.81 meters per square second.

`m= 5 \ kg \\g= 9.81 \ m/s^2 \\\h= 2 \ m`

Substitute the values into the formula.

`E_p= ( 5 \ kg )(9.81 \ m/s^2)( 2 \ m)`

Multiply the first two numbers.

`E_p=49.05 \ kg*m/s^2 (2 \ m )`

Multiply again.

`E_p= 98.1 \ kg*m^2/s^2`

• 1 kilogram square meter per square second is equal to 1 Joule.
• Our answer is equal to 98.1 Joules

`E_p= 98.1 \ J`

The ball has 98.1 Joules of potential energy.