Question

Calculate the gravitational potential Energy of the ball relative to the ground before being thrown

Answer 1

Given,

The mass of the ball, m=0.11 kg

The height of the ball before it was thrown, h₁=0.24 m

The height of the ball after it was caught by Donald, h₂=0.82 m

The gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position above the ground.

The gravitational potential energy of the ball before being thrown is given by,

`E=\text{mgh}_1`

On substituting the known values,

`\begin{gathered} E=0.11*9.8*0.24 \\ =0.26\text{ J} \end{gathered}`

Thus the gravitational potential energy of the ball relative to the ground, before being thrown is 0.26 J