Calculate potential energy for a mass of 100 kg at 40 m above the ground level.

Study for the ABSA 4th Class Power Engineer Test. Explore questions with hints and explanations. Get ready to ace the exam!

To calculate the potential energy of an object at a specific height, the formula used is:

Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) × gravitational acceleration (g) × height (h)

In this formula:

  • The mass (m) is given as 100 kg.

  • The average gravitational acceleration (g) near the Earth's surface is approximately 9.81 m/s².

  • The height (h) is provided as 40 m.

Plugging in the values:

PE = 100 kg × 9.81 m/s² × 40 m

PE = 100 kg × 392.4 m²/s²

PE = 39240 J

To convert joules to kilojoules, we divide by 1000:

PE = 39240 J / 1000 = 39.24 kJ

This indicates that the potential energy of the 100 kg mass at 40 m above ground level is indeed 39.24 kJ. The units and conversion process are crucial in arriving at the correct answer. The calculations clearly show how the physical properties of mass, gravity, and height intertwine to determine potential energy, supporting the conclusion that this answer is accurate and appropriate based on the given

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