The gravitational potential energy (U) of an object can be calculated using the formula:
\[ U = mgh \]
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 above the ground (in meters).
For the given problem:
- \( m = 10 , \text{kg} \)
- \( g = 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \)
- \( h = 5 , \text{m} \)
Substituting these values into the formula:
\[ U = 10 , \text{kg} \times 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \times 5 , \text{m} \]
Calculating this:
\[ U = 10 \times 9.81 \times 5 = 490.5 , \text{J} \]
Thus, the gravitational potential energy of the object is \( 490.5 , \text{Joules} \).
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