A stone is held at a height h above the ground. A second stone with four times the mass of the first one is held at the same height. The gravitational potential energy of the second stone compared to
That of the first stone is
A) four times as much.
B) one-fourth as much.
C) one-half as much.
D) twice as much.
E) the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gravitational potential energy is given by the formula U = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height. Since both stones are at the same height and g is constant, the potential energy is directly proportional to mass. Therefore, if the second stone has four times the mass of the first, its gravitational potential energy will be four times as much.

A Stone Is Held at a Height H Above the Ground