which factor affects gravitational potential energy but not elastic potential energy?\nspring…

Explanation:

Step1: Recall energy formulas

Gravitational potential energy formula is $U_g = mgh$ (where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravitational - acceleration, $h$ is height which is a type of distance). Elastic potential energy formula is $U_e=\frac{1}{2}kx^2$ (where $k$ is spring constant and $x$ is displacement).

Step2: Analyze each option

• Spring constant ($k$) affects elastic potential energy ($U_e$) but not gravitational potential energy ($U_g$).
• Velocity affects kinetic energy ($K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$) and not either $U_g$ or $U_e$.
• Distance is involved in both (height in $U_g$ and displacement in $U_e$).
• Mass ($m$) affects gravitational potential energy ($U_g = mgh$) but not elastic potential energy ($U_e=\frac{1}{2}kx^2$ which does not have mass in its formula).

Answer:

D. mass