A 10 kg object is thrown upwards with a speed of 15 m/s. What is the maximum hei
Practice Questions
Q1
A 10 kg object is thrown upwards with a speed of 15 m/s. What is the maximum height it reaches? (g = 9.8 m/s²)
11.5 m
22.5 m
15.3 m
10.0 m
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
A 10 kg object is thrown upwards with a speed of 15 m/s. What is the maximum height it reaches? (g = 9.8 m/s²)
Step 1: Identify the given values. The mass of the object (m) is 10 kg, the initial speed (v) is 15 m/s, and the acceleration due to gravity (g) is 9.8 m/s².
Step 2: Understand the concept of energy conservation. When the object is thrown upwards, its kinetic energy (KE) at the bottom will convert to potential energy (PE) at the maximum height.
Step 3: Write the formula for kinetic energy: KE = 0.5 * m * v².
Step 4: Write the formula for potential energy: PE = m * g * h, where h is the height we want to find.
Step 5: Set the kinetic energy equal to the potential energy at the maximum height: 0.5 * m * v² = m * g * h.
Step 6: Notice that the mass (m) cancels out from both sides of the equation, simplifying it to: 0.5 * v² = g * h.
Step 7: Rearrange the equation to solve for height (h): h = v² / (2 * g).
Step 8: Substitute the values into the equation: h = (15)² / (2 * 9.8).
Step 9: Calculate (15)² which is 225, and then calculate 2 * 9.8 which is 19.6.
Step 10: Divide 225 by 19.6 to find h: h = 225 / 19.6 ≈ 11.5 m.
Conservation of Energy – The principle that the total energy in a closed system remains constant, allowing the conversion of kinetic energy to potential energy.
Kinetic Energy (KE) – The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated as KE = 0.5mv².
Potential Energy (PE) – The energy stored in an object due to its height above the ground, calculated as PE = mgh.
Gravitational Acceleration – The acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface.