Chapter 6, Problem 8RQ

Two cars are lifted to the same elevation in service station. If one car is twice as massive as the other, how do their potential energies compare?

To determine

The comparison of the potential energies of the two cars lifted to the same elevation in service station.

Answer to Problem 8RQ

The car that is twice massive than another will have the potential energy twice as much as the other car.

Explanation of Solution

Potential energy is stored in an object because of its position in the space. In case of gravitational potential energy, it changes with the change in the elevation of the object from the earth.

Write the expression for the potential energy.

PE=mgh

Here,

m is the mass of the object

g is the acceleration due to the gravity

h is the elevation from the ground

Since the elevation is same for both cars, so the potential energy will only depend on the mass of the car. So the heavier car will have twice potential energy as compare to the other car.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the car that is twice massive than another will have the potential energy twice as much as the other car.