Question

A truck is hoisted a certain distance in a garage and therefore has potential energy with respect to the floor. If it were lifted twice as high, it would have ____ as much potential energy.

Answer 1

If the truck were lifted twice as high, it would have twice as much potential energy

Step-by-step explanation:

Potential energy = mgh

where;

m is mass of the truck (kg)

g is acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

h is the height above the floor.

Initial Potential Energy, E₁ = mgh₁

When the truck was lifted twice as high, New height (h₂) = 2h₁

New potential Energy, E₂ =mgh₂ = mg(2h₁)

E₂ = 2mgh₁

Recall, E₁ = mgh₁, then substitute in E₁ into E₂

E₂ = 2(mgh₁)

E₂ = 2E₁

Therefore, If the truck were lifted twice as high, it would have twice as much potential energy