Question
if the gravitational potential energy stored between the mole and earth as the mole dug toward the surface did I decrease , increase or stay the same
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) depends on the height of an object relative to a reference point, usually the surface of the Earth. The formula for gravitational potential energy is:
\[
\text{GPE} = mgh
\]
where:
- \( m \) is the mass of the object,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² near the Earth's surface),
- \( h \) is the height above the reference point.
If a mole is digging down into the ground, its height \( h \) relative to the Earth's surface decreases. As the mole digs deeper, the value of \( h \) becomes negative (if we consider the surface of the Earth as zero height). As a result, since \( h \) is decreasing, the gravitational potential energy stored between the mole and the Earth decreases.
In summary, as the mole digs toward the surface, the gravitational potential energy decreases.
\[
\text{GPE} = mgh
\]
where:
- \( m \) is the mass of the object,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² near the Earth's surface),
- \( h \) is the height above the reference point.
If a mole is digging down into the ground, its height \( h \) relative to the Earth's surface decreases. As the mole digs deeper, the value of \( h \) becomes negative (if we consider the surface of the Earth as zero height). As a result, since \( h \) is decreasing, the gravitational potential energy stored between the mole and the Earth decreases.
In summary, as the mole digs toward the surface, the gravitational potential energy decreases.