Basic Problems
1. Lifting a Book
o A book of mass 2 kg is lifted 3 m above a table. Find its
gravitational potential energy (GPE).
o Solution: PE = mgh =(2)(9.8)(3)=58.8 J
2. Object on a Hill
o A 5 kg rock sits at the top of a 10 m hill. What is its gravitational
potential energy?
o Solution: PE=mgh=(5)(9.8)(10)=490 J
3. Hanging Object
o A 50 kg chandelier hangs from a 5 m ceiling. Find its
gravitational potential energy relative to the floor.
o Solution: PE=mgh= (50) (9.8)(5) = 2450 J
4. Spring Compression
o A spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m is compressed by
0.1 m. Find the elastic potential energy stored.
o Solution: PE=1/2 kx2=1/2(200)(0.1)2==1 J
5. Stretching a Rubber Band
o A rubber band acts like a spring with a constant k = 50 N/m. If
stretched 0.2 m, find the stored energy.
o Solution: PE=1/2kx2=1/2(50)(0.2)2=1 J
Intermediate Problems
6. Roller Coaster at the Top
o A 500 kg roller coaster car reaches the top of a 30 m track. How
much potential energy does it have?
o Solution: PE=mgh=(500)(9.8)(30)=147,000 J
7. Diver on a Diving Board
o A 60 kg diver stands 5 m above the water. How much potential
energy does the diver have?
o Solution: PE=mgh=(60)(9.8)(5)=2940 J
8. Pendulum at its Highest Point
o A 2 kg pendulum bob swings to a height of 1.5 m. Find its
gravitational potential energy.
o Solution: PE=mgh=(2)(9.8)(1.5)=29. 4 J
Advanced Problems
9. Comparing Potential Energy at Different Heights
o A 10 kg object is lifted to 8 m and then dropped to 4 m. How
much energy does it lose?
o Solution:
Initial PE: PE=(10)(9.8)(8)= 784 J
Final PE: PE=(10)(9.8)(4)= 392 J
Energy lost: 784−392=392 J
10. Compressed Spring Launching an Object
A spring (k = 500 N/m) is compressed by 0.15 m and launches a 5
kg object. Find the object's initial potential energy.
Solution: PE=1/2kx2=1/2(500)(0.15)2=5.625 J