The diagram shows a box of weight 50 N being pushed along a smooth ramp from ground level to a height of 1.5 m. The length of the ramp is 4.0 m. What is the...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows a box of weight 50 N being pushed along a smooth ramp from ground level to a height of 1.5 m. The length of the ramp is 4.0 m.
What is the gravitational potential energy gained by the box when it reaches the top of the ramp?
Answer Details
Gravitational potential energy depends on the vertical height gained, not on the distance travelled along the ramp:
\[ \text{GPE} = W \times h \]
where \( W \) is the weight of the box (50 N) and \( h \) is the vertical height (1.5 m):
\[ \text{GPE} = 50 \times 1.5 = 75 \text{ J} \]
Using the ramp length (4.0 m) instead of the height would give \( 50 \times 4.0 = 200 \) J, which is incorrect. The ramp makes it easier to push the box up (less force needed over a longer distance), but the energy stored as GPE depends only on how high the box ends up, not the path taken to get there.
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