Potential energy - Variables used
Potential Energy - (Measured in Joules) - Potential energy is the energy that is stored in an object due to its position relative to some zero position.
Mass - (Measured in Kilograms) - Mass is the amount of matter in a body, regardless of its volume or the forces acting on it.
Acceleration Due to Gravity - (Measured in Meter/Square Second) - Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration gained by an object due to the gravitational force.
Height - (Measured in Meters) - Height is the distance between the lowest and highest points of a standing person/shape/object.
An object of mass 140 kg is placed on an Orange tree 10m above the ground. 1. Calculate the Potential energy with respect to the ground.
Data:
m = 140 kg
h = 10 m
g = 9.8 m/s²
Ep = ?
The formula to calculate potential energy:
Ep = m * g * h
- Ep = Potential energy
- m = mass
- h = height
- g = gravity
We clear, but it is not necessary, since we want to calculate the potential energy.
Ep = m * g * h
Ep = 140 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 10 m
Ep = 13720 J
The reason why it is given in Joules is because N * m, are units of Joules, and N = Kg * m/s^2. It is the ratio of the Joules.
The potential energy of the body of mass m = 140 kilograms and located at height h = 10 meters is equal to 13720 Joules.