Question

Which object has the most gravitational potential energy?

O A. A 5 kg book at a height of 2 m
B. A 8 kg book at a height of 2 m
C. An 8 kg book at a height of 3 m
D. An 5 kg book at a height of 3 m
help pls

Answer 1

Answer: An 8 kg book at a height of 3 m has the most gravitational potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is the product of mass of object, height of object and gravitational field.

So, formula to calculate gravitational potential energy is as follows.

U = mgh

where,

m = mass of object

g = gravitational field =
`9.81 m/s^(2)`

h = height of object

(A) m = 5 kg and h = 2m

Therefore, its gravitational potential energy is calculated as follows.

`U = mgh\\= 5 kg * 9.81 m/s^(2) * 2 m\\= 98.1 J (1 J = kg m^(2)/s^(2))`

(B) m = 8 kg and h = 2 m

Therefore, its gravitational potential energy is calculated as follows.

`U = mgh\\= 8 kg * 9.81 m/s^(2) * 2 m\\= 156.96 J (1 J = kg m^(2)/s^(2))`

(C) m = 8 kg and h = 3 m

Therefore, its gravitational potential energy is calculated as follows.

`U = mgh\\= 8 kg * 9.81 m/s^(2) * 3 m\\= 235.44 J (1 J = kg m^(2)/s^(2))`

(D) m = 5 kg and h = 3 m

Therefore, its gravitational potential energy is calculated as follows.

`U = mgh\\= 5 kg * 9.81 m/s^(2) * 3 m\\= 147.15 J (1 J = kg m^(2)/s^(2))`

Thus, we can conclude that an 8 kg book at a height of 3 m has the most gravitational potential energy.