Question detail
What is defined as the energy stored due to an object's position above the ground?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
Question
- A. Kinetic energy
- B. Gravitational potential energy
- C. Elastic potential energy
- D. Thermal energy
Answer
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation
Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object as a result of its vertical position or height.
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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