Potential Energy - AP Physics C: Mechanics
Card 1 of 30
How is potential energy affected when an object's mass is increased?
How is potential energy affected when an object's mass is increased?
Tap to reveal answer
Increases. PE is directly proportional to mass.
Increases. PE is directly proportional to mass.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the variable $h$ in the gravitational potential energy formula $U = mgh$.
Identify the variable $h$ in the gravitational potential energy formula $U = mgh$.
Tap to reveal answer
Height. Vertical distance above reference point.
Height. Vertical distance above reference point.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the potential energy for a 4 kg object at 15 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Find the potential energy for a 4 kg object at 15 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
588 J. $U = mgh = (4)(9.8)(15) = 588$ J.
588 J. $U = mgh = (4)(9.8)(15) = 588$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the relationship between potential energy and height.
State the relationship between potential energy and height.
Tap to reveal answer
Directly proportional. PE increases linearly with height in formula.
Directly proportional. PE increases linearly with height in formula.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the formula for gravitational potential energy.
State the formula for gravitational potential energy.
Tap to reveal answer
$U = mgh$. Mass times gravitational acceleration times height.
$U = mgh$. Mass times gravitational acceleration times height.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the unit of potential energy in the SI system?
What is the unit of potential energy in the SI system?
Tap to reveal answer
Joule (J). Standard unit for all forms of energy in physics.
Joule (J). Standard unit for all forms of energy in physics.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the variable $h$ in the gravitational potential energy formula $U = mgh$.
Identify the variable $h$ in the gravitational potential energy formula $U = mgh$.
Tap to reveal answer
Height. Vertical distance above reference point.
Height. Vertical distance above reference point.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which factor does not affect gravitational potential energy: mass, height, or velocity?
Which factor does not affect gravitational potential energy: mass, height, or velocity?
Tap to reveal answer
Velocity. PE depends only on position, not motion.
Velocity. PE depends only on position, not motion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the formula for elastic potential energy.
State the formula for elastic potential energy.
Tap to reveal answer
$U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$. Energy stored in deformed elastic objects.
$U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$. Energy stored in deformed elastic objects.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does the variable $k$ represent in the formula $U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$?
What does the variable $k$ represent in the formula $U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$?
Tap to reveal answer
Spring constant. Measure of spring's stiffness or resistance to deformation.
Spring constant. Measure of spring's stiffness or resistance to deformation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the variable $x$ in the elastic potential energy formula $U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$.
Identify the variable $x$ in the elastic potential energy formula $U = \frac{1}{2} kx^2$.
Tap to reveal answer
Displacement. Distance from equilibrium position.
Displacement. Distance from equilibrium position.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the potential energy of a 2 kg object at a height of 5 meters? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
What is the potential energy of a 2 kg object at a height of 5 meters? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
98 J. $U = mgh = (2)(9.8)(5) = 98$ J.
98 J. $U = mgh = (2)(9.8)(5) = 98$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Calculate the elastic potential energy for a spring with $k = 200 \text{ N/m}$ and $x = 0.3 \text{ m}$.
Calculate the elastic potential energy for a spring with $k = 200 \text{ N/m}$ and $x = 0.3 \text{ m}$.
Tap to reveal answer
9 J. $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}(200)(0.3)^2 = 9$ J.
9 J. $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}(200)(0.3)^2 = 9$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which type of energy transformation occurs when a ball is dropped from a height?
Which type of energy transformation occurs when a ball is dropped from a height?
Tap to reveal answer
Potential to kinetic. Height decreases, so PE converts to KE.
Potential to kinetic. Height decreases, so PE converts to KE.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the potential energy change for raising a 10 kg mass by 2 meters? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
What is the potential energy change for raising a 10 kg mass by 2 meters? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
196 J. $\Delta U = mg\Delta h = (10)(9.8)(2) = 196$ J.
196 J. $\Delta U = mg\Delta h = (10)(9.8)(2) = 196$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the energy conversion when compressing a spring.
Identify the energy conversion when compressing a spring.
Tap to reveal answer
Kinetic to potential. Work done compressing stores energy in spring.
Kinetic to potential. Work done compressing stores energy in spring.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
At what point in its motion does a pendulum have maximum potential energy?
At what point in its motion does a pendulum have maximum potential energy?
Tap to reveal answer
At the highest point. Maximum height means maximum gravitational PE.
At the highest point. Maximum height means maximum gravitational PE.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What happens to potential energy as an object falls freely under gravity?
What happens to potential energy as an object falls freely under gravity?
Tap to reveal answer
Decreases. Height decreases, so gravitational PE decreases.
Decreases. Height decreases, so gravitational PE decreases.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Calculate the gravitational potential energy for a 50 kg object at 10 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Calculate the gravitational potential energy for a 50 kg object at 10 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
4900 J. $U = mgh = (50)(9.8)(10) = 4900$ J.
4900 J. $U = mgh = (50)(9.8)(10) = 4900$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What type of potential energy is stored in a compressed gas?
What type of potential energy is stored in a compressed gas?
Tap to reveal answer
Elastic potential energy. Compression stores elastic energy like a spring.
Elastic potential energy. Compression stores elastic energy like a spring.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
If the spring constant $k$ is doubled, how does elastic potential energy change?
If the spring constant $k$ is doubled, how does elastic potential energy change?
Tap to reveal answer
Doubles. PE is directly proportional to spring constant $k$.
Doubles. PE is directly proportional to spring constant $k$.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the effect on gravitational potential energy if mass is halved?
What is the effect on gravitational potential energy if mass is halved?
Tap to reveal answer
Halved. PE is directly proportional to mass.
Halved. PE is directly proportional to mass.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the effect of gravity on potential energy when moving uphill.
State the effect of gravity on potential energy when moving uphill.
Tap to reveal answer
Increases potential energy. Moving up increases height and gravitational PE.
Increases potential energy. Moving up increases height and gravitational PE.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the potential energy of a 3 kg object at a height of 4 m? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
What is the potential energy of a 3 kg object at a height of 4 m? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
117.6 J. $U = mgh = (3)(9.8)(4) = 117.6$ J.
117.6 J. $U = mgh = (3)(9.8)(4) = 117.6$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Calculate the change in potential energy for a 5 kg object moved 3 m vertically. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Calculate the change in potential energy for a 5 kg object moved 3 m vertically. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
147 J. $\Delta U = mg\Delta h = (5)(9.8)(3) = 147$ J.
147 J. $\Delta U = mg\Delta h = (5)(9.8)(3) = 147$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What type of potential energy is associated with an object's position in a gravitational field?
What type of potential energy is associated with an object's position in a gravitational field?
Tap to reveal answer
Gravitational potential energy. Energy due to position in Earth's gravity field.
Gravitational potential energy. Energy due to position in Earth's gravity field.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What happens to the potential energy of an object as it is lifted higher?
What happens to the potential energy of an object as it is lifted higher?
Tap to reveal answer
Increases. Greater height means greater gravitational PE.
Increases. Greater height means greater gravitational PE.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the potential energy for a 4 kg object at 15 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Find the potential energy for a 4 kg object at 15 m height. (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
588 J. $U = mgh = (4)(9.8)(15) = 588$ J.
588 J. $U = mgh = (4)(9.8)(15) = 588$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the potential energy of a 6 kg mass at 7 m height? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
What is the potential energy of a 6 kg mass at 7 m height? (Use $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Tap to reveal answer
411.6 J. $U = mgh = (6)(9.8)(7) = 411.6$ J.
411.6 J. $U = mgh = (6)(9.8)(7) = 411.6$ J.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
How does doubling the displacement $x$ affect elastic potential energy?
How does doubling the displacement $x$ affect elastic potential energy?
Tap to reveal answer
Quadruples. PE depends on $x^2$, so doubling $x$ gives $4x^2$.
Quadruples. PE depends on $x^2$, so doubling $x$ gives $4x^2$.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →