What is the energy of a 4 kg Apple that is on a tree branch 2 m high

1 answer

To calculate the gravitational potential energy (PE) of the apple, you can use the formula:

\[ PE = mgh \]

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 your apple:

  • \(m = 4 , \text{kg}\)
  • \(g = 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2\)
  • \(h = 2 , \text{m}\)

Now plug in the values:

\[ PE = 4 , \text{kg} \times 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \times 2 , \text{m} \]

\[ PE = 4 \times 9.81 \times 2 \]

\[ PE = 78.48 , \text{J} \]

So, the gravitational potential energy of the apple is approximately 78.48 joules.