Question

A salmon jumps 2.0 m vertically and gains a certain amount of potential energy. A second salmon of half the mass jumps the same vertical height. Compared to the first salmon, the second salmon’s potential energy gain is?

a. one-half as great b. twice as great c. the same d. 4 times as great

Answer 1

a. one-half as great

Step-by-step explanation:

Potential energy is the energy at rest of a body.

To solve this problem,

Potential energy = mgh

where m = mass

g = acceleration due to gravity

h = height

Now;

Salmon 1; Salmon 2;

mass = m mass =
`(m)/(2)`

g = 9.8m/s² g = 9.8m/s²

h = 2m h = 2m

Now,

Potential energy of salmon 1 = m x 9.8 x 2 = 19.6m

Potential energy of salmon 2 =
`(m)/(2)` x 9.8 x = 9.8m

Comparing the two potential energy values;

Salmon 1 Salmon 2

19.6m 9.8m

We see that the potential energy of salmon 1 is twice that of salmon 2.

The potential energy of salmon 2 is half that of salmon 1