Which factors determine the potential energy of an object?

Question

A. Weight and velocity
B. Mass and position
C. Mass and velocity
D. Gravity and position

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Mass and position.

Potential energy, specifically gravitational potential energy, is determined by the mass of the object, the height of the object above a reference point (position), and the acceleration due to gravity. The formula for gravitational potential energy (PE) is:

\[ PE = mgh \]

where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \( h \) is the height (position) above a reference point.

Answer 2

are you sure this is correct

Answer 3

Yes, I am confident in the answer. The potential energy of an object, particularly gravitational potential energy, fundamentally depends on:

1. Mass (m): The amount of matter in the object. A greater mass means more potential energy at a given height.

2. Height (h): The position of the object above a reference point (often the ground). The higher an object is, the more gravitational potential energy it possesses.

This relationship is captured in the formula:

\[ PE = mgh \]

where:

• \( PE \) is the potential energy,
• \( m \) is the mass of the object,
• \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 , m/s^2 \) on the surface of the Earth),
• \( h \) is the height above a reference point.

Thus, the factors that determine potential energy are indeed mass and position (height). So the choice B. Mass and position is correct.