Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a form of gravitational potential energy?
A
A rock at the edge of a cliff
B
A charged capacitor
C
A compressed spring
D
A moving car
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of gravitational potential energy: It is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, typically related to its height above a reference point.
Identify the key characteristic of gravitational potential energy: It depends on the object's mass, the height above the ground, and the gravitational acceleration. The formula is given by: , where is the potential energy, is the mass, is the gravitational acceleration, and is the height.
Analyze each option: A rock at the edge of a cliff has potential energy due to its elevated position in a gravitational field, fitting the definition of gravitational potential energy.
Consider the other options: A charged capacitor stores electrical potential energy, a compressed spring stores elastic potential energy, and a moving car has kinetic energy.
Conclude that the correct answer is the rock at the edge of a cliff, as it is the only option that involves energy due to position in a gravitational field.