Gravitational Potential Energy = m g h
higher and heavier wins
Which has more Gravitational Potential Energy: a 7kg lamp on a 6m high shelf or a 4kg book 2 shelves (2m) down?
2 answers
If we take the Gravitational Potential Energy equation (E=mgh) and apply it to each object, we will see that:
Lamp: E=mgh=(7kg)(9.81m/s^2)(6m)=412.02
Book: E=mgh=(4kg)(9.81m/s^2)(2m)=78.48
So clearly, the lamp has more gravitational potential energy and you didn't even need to do the formula because higher and heavier wins like R_scott said.
Lamp: E=mgh=(7kg)(9.81m/s^2)(6m)=412.02
Book: E=mgh=(4kg)(9.81m/s^2)(2m)=78.48
So clearly, the lamp has more gravitational potential energy and you didn't even need to do the formula because higher and heavier wins like R_scott said.