Question

A 4-kilogram cat is resting on top of a bookshelf that is 3 meters high. What is the cat’s gravitational potential energy relative to the floor if the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2?

Answer 1

The answer is 117.6 J

The potential energy of the object is actually its stored energy:

E = m · g · h
E - the potential energy of the object,
m - the mass of the object,
g - acceleration due to gravity,
h - the height of the object.

m = 4 kg
g = 9.8 m/s²
h = 3 m

E = 4 * 9.8 * 3 = 117.6 J