Question

A 30 Kg mass is 5 m above the ground. a) What is its potential energy on Earth (g=10 m/s2) and b) what would its potential energy be on the moon (g=1.6 m/s2)

Answer 1

Answers:

a) PE = 1500 J

b) PE = 240 J

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy is calculated as follows

PE = mgh

Where m is the mass, g is the gravity and h is the height.

Now, we can calculate the potential energy in Earth replacing g = 10 m/s², m = 30 kg and h = 5 m, so

PE = (30 kg)(10 m/s²)(5m)

PE = 1500 J

In the same way, the potential energy in the moon with g = 1.6 m/s² is equal to

PE = (30 kg)(1.6 m/s²)(5 m)

PE = 240 J

Therefore, the answers are

a) PE = 1500 J

b) PE = 240 J