Potential Energy

What type of energy is stored by an object due to its position above the surface?

• potential energy

• kinetic energy

• gravitational potential energy

• mechanical energy

What is the equation to calculate gravitational potential energy?

The acceleration due to gravity (on Earth) is _____

• 98 m/s²

• 9.8 m/s²

• 9.8 m/s

• 0.98 m/s

What is the standard unit for mass?

• kg

• lb

• cm

• g

What is the unit of measurement for potential energy?

• Watts

• Joules

• Newtons

• Meters

With all of his Batgear on, Batman has a mass of 90.7 kg. How much potential energy does he have if he's perched on top of a 1,575 m building? 

• 142,852.5 J
• 1,399,954.5 J
• 0.058 J
• 17.36 J

I have the most potential energy if I am:

• 5 feet high

• 10 feet high

• 15 feet high

• 20 feet high

What is the standard unit for weight?

• Newton (N)

• kilogram (kg)

• pound (lb)

• meter (m)

Answer explanation

Mass is the measure of how much mass is in an object

Weight is the measure of the force of gravity acting on an object. The mass of an object will not change on different planets, but the object's weight will. W=mg

Suppose an astronaut were to visit a planet where the gravity is half that of Earth.  His WEIGHT on that planet would be _______________.

• half his Earth weight
• the same as his Earth weight
• twice his Earth weight
• zero

A leopard with a mass of 55.00 kg climbs 12.0 m up a tree. Calculate its gravitational potential energy.

• 6,468 J

• 660 J

• 4.58 J

• 0.22 J