volume_mute

Consider an 8-newton object that is 2 meters above the floor

publish date: 2023/07/02 22:48:00 GMT+10

volume_mute
  1. What is its potential energy with reference to the floor? joules
  2. How much work can it do when it falls? joules
  3. Suppose the object falls onto a marshmallow on the floor and mashes the marshmallow down 1 centimeter.  What force is exerted by the object on the marshmallow? N

Correct Answer

(1) 16
(2) 16
(3) 1600

Explanation

  1. Potential energy is PE = weight • height = 8 • 2 = 16 joules
  2. When it falls it will exert a force equal to the weight and W = Fd = 8 • 2 = 16 joules
  3. The solution is as follows
    1. W = Fd
    2. 16 joules = F • 0.01 m
    3. F = 1600 newtons

Reference

Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide

Quizzes you can take where this question appears