Q:

The potential energy of an object varies jointly with the mass of the object and the height of the object off the ground. A 25-kg object has 980 joules of potential energy when it is 4 meters off the ground. Another object has 150 joules of potential energy at 3 meters off the ground. What is the mass of the second object? Round to two decimal places.

Accepted Solution

A:
The mass of the object which is at 3 meters off the ground (earth assumingly), with the potential energy of 150 joules is given by: Option C: 5.10 kgWhat is gravitational potential energy?Gravitational potential energy is the energy which a body posses because of its position.The gravitational potential energy of a body is given as,[tex]U=mgh[/tex]Here, (m) is the mass of the body, (g) is the gravitational accelaration and (h) is the height of the body. Here, for the second object, we have:Potential energy = 150 joulesDistance from the ground = 3 mg = gravitational acceleration = [tex]9.8 \: \rm m/s^2[/tex]Let its mass be m kg, then:[tex]U=mgh\\\\150 = m(9.8)(3)\\\\m = 50/9.8 \approx 5.10 \: \rm kg[/tex]Thus, the mass of the object which is at 3 meters off the ground (earth assumingly), with the potential energy of 150 joules is given by: Option C: 5.10 kgLearn more about the gravitational potential energy here;