what is the gravitational potential energy of a 30kg wrecking ball hanging from a crane 100m high?
To calculate the gravitational potential energy of the wrecking ball, you can use the formula:
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) = m * g * h
Where:
m = mass of the object (in kilograms)
g = acceleration due to gravity (in meters per second squared)
h = height or distance above the reference point (in meters)
In this case:
mass of the wrecking ball, m = 30 kg
height, h = 100 m
The standard value for the acceleration due to gravity, g, is approximately 9.8 m/s^2.
Now, let's calculate the gravitational potential energy:
GPE = 30 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 100 m
First, multiply the mass (30 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2):
GPE = 294 kg·m^2/s^2 * 100 m
Finally, multiply the result by the height (100 m):
GPE = 29,400 kg·m^2/s^2
Therefore, the gravitational potential energy of the 30 kg wrecking ball hanging from a crane 100 m high is 29,400 kg·m^2/s^2.