What is the gravitational potential energy of a 5 kg object on a shelf 4/9 m high?

1 Answer
May 19, 2016

2xx10J

Explanation:

Step 1
As physics calculations requires all values to be done in decimals, start by converting 4/9m into decimal form.

4/9mcolor(blue)(rArr)0.44m

Step 2
To find the gravitational potential energy, we can use the formula:

DeltaE_g

=E_"g,final"-E_"g,initial"

=mgh_f-mgh_i

=mg(h_f-h_i)

Since h_f represents the final height of the object, then it must equal to 0.44m. Similarly, since h_i represents the initial height of the object, then it must equal to 0m.

Substituting the values into the formula,

=(5kg)(9.81m/s^2)(0.44m-0m)

=21.58J

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