Question

What is the potential energy of a 2.85-kg object at the bottom of a well 12.7 m deep as measured from ground level? answer:___J

Answer 1

The potential energy U of an object with mass m located a distance h above the ground is given by the expression:

`U=mgh`

Where g=9.81m/s^2 is the gravitational acceleration on the surface of Earth.

Since the 2.85kg object is located 12.7 meters below the ground, we can consider h to be negative. Replace m=2.85kg, g=9.81m/s^2 and h=-12.7m to find the potential energy of the object measured from the ground level:

`U=mgh=(2.85kg)(9.81(m)/(s^2))(-12.7m)=-355.07...J`

Therefore, the potential energy of the object measured from the ground level is approximately 355J.