A 2 kilogram object falls a distance of 5 meters. How much potential energy does this object have before it falls? How much work is done on it by gravity as it falls

Given:

Mass of object, m = 2 kg

Distance, h = 5 m

To determine:

The potential energy and work done

Explanation:

Step 1: The potential energy of the object is given as:

PE = mgh

m = mass of the object, g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s2; h = height

PE = 2 kg * 9.8 ms-2 * 5 m = 98 kgm²s⁻² = 98 J

Step 2: The work done by gravity can be expressed as:

W = Force * distance = F*h

F = mg = 2 * 9.8 = 19.6 N

W = 19.6 * 5 = 98 J

Ans: The potential energy and work done = 98 J