If you hold a coin between your fingers in the air, the gravitational potential energy of that coin is greater if:
Choose the best answer from the options below:
A the coin is heavier
B you hold the coin closer to the floor
C the coin slips to the floor
D the coin is a dime instead of a quarter
E the coin’s surface is copper instead of nickel
B you hold the coin closer to the floor
The best answer is B: you hold the coin closer to the floor.
Gravitational potential energy depends on the height and mass of an object. Since the height remains constant in this scenario, the only way to increase the gravitational potential energy of the coin is by increasing its mass. Holding the coin closer to the floor does not affect its mass, but it does decrease the height, therefore increasing the gravitational potential energy.