Maximum gravitational potential energy
The maximum gravitational potential energy of an object is determined by its mass, height above the reference point, and the acceleration due to gravity.
The formula for gravitational potential energy is:
PE = mgh
Where:
PE = gravitational potential energy
m = mass of the object
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2 on Earth)
h = height above the reference point
To calculate the maximum gravitational potential energy, you would need to find the highest point that the object reaches in its motion and use that height in the formula. Since gravitational potential energy is a scalar quantity, the maximum value would be when the object is at its highest point above the reference point.
For example, if a 10 kg object is lifted to a height of 20 meters above the ground, the maximum gravitational potential energy would be:
PE = 10 kg * 9.81 m/s^2 * 20 m = 1962 Joules
Therefore, the maximum gravitational potential energy of the object in this scenario would be 1962 Joules.