If the mass of an object is tripled, how does its gravitational potential energy
Practice Questions
Q1
If the mass of an object is tripled, how does its gravitational potential energy change at a constant height?
It triples
It doubles
It remains the same
It increases by a factor of nine
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the mass of an object is tripled, how does its gravitational potential energy change at a constant height?
Step 1: Understand the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is U = mgh.
Step 2: Identify the variables in the formula: U is gravitational potential energy, m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.
Step 3: Note that in this scenario, the height (h) and the acceleration due to gravity (g) remain constant.
Step 4: If the mass (m) is tripled, we can express the new mass as 3m.
Step 5: Substitute the new mass into the formula: U = (3m)gh.
Step 6: Simplify the equation: U = 3(mgh).
Step 7: Conclude that the new gravitational potential energy is three times the original gravitational potential energy.
Gravitational Potential Energy – Gravitational potential energy (U) is calculated using the formula U = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.
Direct Proportionality – The relationship between mass and gravitational potential energy is directly proportional, meaning if mass increases, potential energy increases proportionally.
