Question

A rock at the edge of a 200-m high cliff has more potential energy than an equal sized rock at the edge of a 600-m high cliff. True or False

Answer 1

It is false. The higher an object is the more potential energy they have.

Answer 2

Answer: The given statement is False.

Explanation:

Potential energy is defined as the energy possessed due to the height of the object.

Mathematically,

$E_p=mgh$

where,

$E_p$ = potential energy of the rock

m = mass of the rock

g = acceleration due to gravity = $9.8m/s^2$

h = height of the cliff from where the rock is thrown

• When height of the cliff is 200 m

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$E_p=m\times 9.8\times 200m\\\\E_p=1960m$

• When height of the cliff is 600 m

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$E_p=m\times 9.8\times 600m\\\\E_p=5880m$

So, $E_p(60m)>E_p(200m)$

Potential energy of the rock at 600-m high cliff is more than the potential energy of the rock at 200-m high cliff

Hence, the given statement is False.