A rock at the edge of a 200-m high cliff has more potential energy than an equal sized rock at the edge of a 600-m high cliff. True or False



Answer :

It is false. The higher an object is the more potential energy they have.

Answer: The given statement is False.

Explanation:

Potential energy is defined as the energy possessed due to the height of the object.

Mathematically,

[tex]E_p=mgh[/tex]

where,

[tex]E_p[/tex] = potential energy of the rock

m = mass of the rock

g = acceleration due to gravity = [tex]9.8m/s^2[/tex]

h = height of the cliff from where the rock is thrown

  • When height of the cliff is 200 m

Putting values in above equation, we get:

[tex]E_p=m\times 9.8\times 200m\\\\E_p=1960m[/tex]

  • When height of the cliff is 600 m

Putting values in above equation, we get:

[tex]E_p=m\times 9.8\times 600m\\\\E_p=5880m[/tex]

So, [tex]E_p(60m)>E_p(200m)[/tex]

Potential energy of the rock at 600-m high cliff is more than the potential energy of the rock at 200-m high cliff

Hence, the given statement is False.