Potential Energy Sample Problems

1. A spring with a force constant of 5.2 N/m has a relaxed length of 2.45 m. When a
mass is attached to the end of the spring and allowed to come to rest, the vertical
length of the spring is 3.57 m. Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the
spring.
PE elastic

1 2
kx
2

1
(5.2 N / m)(3.57 m 2.45m) 2
2
1
PE (5.2 N / m)(1.12) 2
2
PE 3.3 J
PE

2. A spoon is raised 21.0 cm above a table. If the spoon and its contents have a mass of
30.0 g, what is the gravitational potential energy at that height, relative to the surface
of the table?
PE mgh
m 30.0 g .03kg

PE mgh

g 9.8m / s 2

PE (.03kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(.21m)

PE 0.06 J

h 21.0cm .21m

3. A 55 kg skier is at the top of a slope , as shown in the figure below. At the initial point
A, the skier is 10.0 m vertically above the final point B.
a. Set the zero level for gravitational potential energy at B, find the gravitational
potential energy of the skier at both A and B.
b. Repeat this problem with the zero level at point A.
c. Repeat this problems with the zero level midway down the slope, at a height of
5.0 m.
PartA

PE @ A mgh (55kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(10m) 5390 J

PE @ B mgh (55kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(0m) 0 J

h=10m

Part B
PE@ A mgh (55kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(0m) 0 J
PE @ B mgh (55kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(10m) 5390 J

Part C: height is equal for A and B

PE mgh (55kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(5m) 2695 J