Question 10:
An object of mass 40 kg is raised to a height of 5 m above the ground. What is its potential energy? If the object is allowed to fall, find its kinetic energy when it is half-way down.
Answer:
Gravitational potential energy is given by the expression,
W = mgh
Where,
h = Vertical displacement = 5 m
m = Mass of the object = 40 kg
g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m s−2
∴ W = 40 × 5 × 9.8 = 1960 J.
At half-way down, the potential energy of the object will be 1960/2 = 980 J.
At this point, the object has an equal amount of potential and kinetic energy. This is due to the law of conservation of energy. Hence, half-way down, the kinetic energy of the object will be 980 J.
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