Question

If two boxes, one with a mass of 4 kg and one with a mass of 10 kg are sitting on a shelf. Explain the differences in their amount of potential energy.

Answer 1

Answer:

The box with a mass of 10 kilograms would have a greater amount of potential energy than the box with a mass of 4 kilograms.

Explanation:

Potential energy can be defined as an energy possessed by an object or body due to its position.

Mathematically, potential energy is given by the formula;

$P.E = mgh$

Where,

P.E represents potential energy measured in Joules.

m represents the mass of an object.

g represents acceleration due to gravity measured in meters per seconds square.

h represents the height measured in meters.

Let's assume the height is 5 meters.

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 m/s²

For box with mass of 10 kg

$P.E = 10*10*5$

P.E = 500 Joules.

For box with mass of 4 kg;

$P.E = 4*10*5$

P.E = 200 Joules.

Hence, the box with a mass of 10 kilograms would have a greater amount of potential energy than the box with a mass of 4 kilograms.