Question

Question #1a784

Answer 1

At the top of the ramp the car will have Potential Energy (PE).

Explanation:

By raising the car to the top of the ramp you create Potential Energy (PE) for the car to be pulled down by the force of gravity.

Potential Energy in this case is determined by the mass of the vehicle being affected by the gravitational force based on the height.

PE = mass x gravity x height

For instance a 100 gram car raised 3 meters up the ramp would have a Potential Energy of

PE =mgh
PE = `(10 kg)(9.81 m/s^2)(3m)`
PE = `294.3 (kg*m^2)/s^2`
or
PE = `294.3 J`

`J` = Joules of Energy `(kg*m^2)/s^2`

If you were to increase the height to 6 m

The new Potential Energy would double.

PE =mgh
PE = `(10 kg)(9.81 m/s^2)(6m)`
PE = `588.6 (kg*m^2)/s^2`
or
PE = `588.6 J`