Dubai National School

Physics Department
Work and Energy
Potential Energy
Worksheet

𝑷𝑬𝒈 = 𝒎𝒈𝒉

LEVEL 1

Bank of Resources

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/energy/Lesson-1/Potential-
Read
Energy

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5JeLiSBqQY

Holt Go to Classlink 🡪 Holt McDougal 🡪 Student Resources 🡪 Chapter 5 Section 2

Book 🡪 Student Premium 🡪 Problem Solving 🡪 Interactive Demonstrations

1. Consider a 400 g box placed on a table as shown below. Find the gravitation
potential energy of the box relative to: (0 J, 5.1 J, -3.9 J, -8.2 J)

a- Table b – ground c – shelf d- roof

roof ________________________________________
110cm
shelf ________________________________________
100 cm
table ________________________________________
130 cm
ground ________________________________________

1
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 associated with the
spoon at that height relative to the surface of the table? (6.18 x 10-2 J)

h = 0.21 m
m = 0.003 kg 0.21 x 9.81 x 0.003 = 6.18 x 10 -2

3. A 2 kg object is lifted to a height of 10 meters above the ground. What is the

gravitational potential energy associated with the object at this height? Explain
the concept of gravitational potential energy and how it relates to the work done
in lifting an object against gravity. (196.2 J)

2
 LEVEL 2

Bank of Resources

https://www.ck12.org/c/physics/potential-energy/lesson/Potential-Energy-
Read
PHYS/?referrer=concept_details

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5JeLiSBqQY

Holt Go to Classlink 🡪 Holt McDougal 🡪 Student Resources 🡪 Chapter 5 Section 2

Book 🡪 Student Premium 🡪 Problem Solving 🡪 Interactive Demonstrations

Conceptual:

4. Can the gravitational potential energy associated with an object be negative?

Explain your answer.

5. A person drops a ball from the top of a building while another person on the
ground observes the ball’s motion. Each observer chooses his or her own
location as the level for zero potential energy. Will they calculate the same values
for?
a. The potential energy associated with the ball?
b. The change in potential energy associated with the ball?
c. The ball’s kinetic energy?

3
 LEVEL 3

Bank of Resources

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/energy/Lesson-1/Potential-
Read
Energy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63OTIdNb-TE&t=83s
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWVxwWiz1vo (Concept of question 6)

Holt Go to Classlink 🡪 Holt McDougal 🡪 Student Resources 🡪 Chapter 5 Section 2

Book 🡪 Student Premium 🡪 Problem Solving 🡪 Interactive Demonstrations

6. A 40.0 kg child is in a swing that is attached to ropes 2.00 m long. Find the
gravitational potential energy associated with the child relative to the child’s
lowest position under the following conditions:
a. When the ropes are horizontal. Ans: 785 J
b. When the ropes make a 30.0° angle with the vertical. Ans: 105 J.
c. At the bottom of the circular arc. Ans: 0 J.