The potential energy (PE) of an object at a height can be calculated using the formula:
\[ PE = m \cdot g \cdot h \]
where:
- \( m \) is the mass of the object (in kilograms),
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \) on the surface of the Earth),
- \( h \) is the height (in meters).
For a 15 kg cart resting at a height of 10 meters, the calculation would be:
\[ PE = 15 , \text{kg} \cdot 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \cdot 10 , \text{m} \]
Calculating this gives:
\[ PE = 15 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 10 = 1471.5 , \text{Joules} \]
Thus, the potential energy of the cart is \( \text{1471.5 Joules} \).
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