Question detail
In a practical investigation, a ball is dropped from a height of 5 meters. If the ball has a mass of 2 kg, calculate the gravitational potential energy at the start of the drop. Use the equation Ep = m x g x h, where g = 9.8 N/kg.
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At a glance
Question
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exam_style
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Topic
Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
Question
In a practical investigation, a ball is dropped from a height of 5 meters. If the ball has a mass of 2 kg, calculate the gravitational potential energy at the start of the drop. Use the equation Ep = m x g x h, where g = 9.8 N/kg.
Answer
The gravitational potential energy (Ep) can be calculated as follows: Ep = m x g x h = 2 kg x 9.8 N/kg x 5 m = 98 J.
Explanation
This answer stays anchored to Changes in energy and uses the approved objective: Required practical: investigate the transfer of energy from a gravitational potential energy store to a kinetic energy store..
Common mistake
Confusing gravitational potential energy with kinetic energy
Students often think that when an object falls, the energy it has is still gravitational potential energy rather than kinetic energy
Explain that as the object falls, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy; at the moment of impact the energy is predominantly kinetic, with potential energy reduced to zero
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