Unit2 Lesson5

Question 1

What is Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)?

Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position above the Earth’s surface in a gravitational field. This is due to the force of gravity acting on an object.

Question 2

How Gravational Potential Energy calculated?

Answer 2

GPE is calculated as follows:
Ep = m x g x h
* Ep: gravitational potential energy (J)
* m: mass (kg)
* g: gravitational field strength (N/kg)
* h: height (m)

Question 3

Properties of GPE

Answer 3

• Gravity wants to pull everything down to the Earth
• It takes energy to go against gravity
• If you use energy to lift an object against gravity, you give it energy.

Question 4

What GPU depends on?

Answer 4

• GPE depends on mass and height.
• Mass: how much matter or stuff is inside an object. More mass = more gravitational potential energy.
• How high the mass is raised above the ground. More height = more gravitational potential energy.

Question 5

If you raise bowling ball and beach ball to the same height above the ground, which ball will have more gravitational potential energy? Why?

Answer 5

The bowling ball has more mass because there is more ‘stuff’ or matter packed inside it compared to the beach ball.

Question 6

GPE and Height

Answer 6

If you have raise a bowling ball 20m above the ground, it will have twice the amount of GPE compared to the same ball being raised 10m above the ground.

Question 7

Roller Coaster and GPE

Answer 7

• Roller coasters use potential energy
• Potential energy is given to the carts when they are pulled up the hill
• At the top, the carts have the most potential energy.
• As they go down the hill, the carts lose potential energy and gain speed.
• At the bottom, the carts have the least potential energy.