Compare the kinetic and potential energies of a 200 kg box being moved horizontally by a forklift at a speed of 5 m/s. The box is at a height of 1 m.

Given:

mass of the box = 200kg

velocity of the moving box = 5m/s

height of the box = 1m

Required:

The comparison of the kinetic energy and potential energy

Solution:

Kinetic energy can be calculated using the formula:

KE = 0.5 (mass) (velocity) ²

KE = 0.5 (200kg) (5m/s) ²

KE = 2500 Joules

Potential energy can be calculated using the formula:

PE = (mass) (gravity) (height)

PE = (200kg) (9.8m/s²) (1m)

PE = 1960 Joules

At the given conditions, the kinetic energy is greater than the potential energy. This means that the total energy is spent to move horizontally rather than vertically.