a 17 kg box sitting on a shelf has a potential energy of 350 j. how high is the shelf? round your answer to…
a 17 kg box sitting on a shelf has a potential energy of 350 j. how high is the shelf? round your answer to the nearest whole number. the shelf is m high.
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall potential - energy formula
The formula for gravitational potential energy is $U = mgh$, where $U$ is potential energy, $m$ is mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity ($g\approx9.8\ m/s^{2}$), and $h$ is height. We need to solve for $h$.
Step2: Rearrange the formula for $h$
From $U = mgh$, we can get $h=\frac{U}{mg}$.
Step3: Substitute the given values
Given $U = 350\ J$, $m = 17\ kg$, and $g = 9.8\ m/s^{2}$. Then $h=\frac{350}{17\times9.8}$. First, calculate $17\times9.8 = 166.6$. Then $h=\frac{350}{166.6}\approx2.1$.
Answer:
2