Final answer:
The gravitational potential energy of a 5 kg rock sitting on the edge of a 10m high cliff is 490.5 Joules, calculated using the formula GPE = mgh with m=5 kg, g=9.81 m/s², and h=10 m.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of a 5 kg rock sitting on the edge of a 10m high cliff, we can use the formula GPE = mgh, where 'm' is mass, 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity, and 'h' is the height above the reference point.
The mass of the rock (m) is 5 kg, the acceleration due to gravity (g) is commonly approximated as 9.81 m/s² (on Earth), and the height of the cliff (h) is 10 meters.
The calculation would be performed as follows:
GPE = mgh
GPE = 5 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 10 m
GPE = 490.5 kg*m²/s² or Joules
Therefore, the gravitational potential energy of the 5 kg rock is 490.5 Joules when it is sitting on the edge of the 10 meter high cliff.