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Gravitational potential energy – problems and solutions

1. A 1-kg body falls freely from rest, from a height of 10 m.

Determine :
(a) Work done by force of gravity
(b) The change in gravitational potential energy
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m/s2
Known :
Mass (m) = 1 kg
Height (h) = 10 m
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m/s2
weight (w) = m g = (1 kg)(10 m/s2) = 10 N
Solution :
(a) Work done by force of gravity
W=wh=mgh
W = (1)(10)(10) = 100 Joule

(b) The change in gravitational potential energy

The change in gravitational potential energy is equal to the work done by gravity.
ΔEP = 100 Joule

2. A 10 N object slides down on smooth inclined plane along 2 meters. Determine work done by weight
force!
Known :
weight (w) = 10 N
wx = w sin θ = (10)(sin 30o) = (10)(0.5) = 5 N
d=2m
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m/s2
Wanted : work done by weight force
Solution :

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