Potential energy sample question: A block is sitting on a platform 20 m high. It weighs 50 kg. How much potential energy does it contain?

Potential energy (PE) = mgh

The potential energy is 9800 J.

Explanation:

given information:

mass, m = 50 kg

height, h = 20 m

to calculate the potential energy, we can use the following formula

PE = mgh

where

PE = potential energy (Joule)

m = mass (kg)

h = height (m)

g = gravitational constant (9.8 m/s²)

so,

PE = mgh

= 50 x 9.8 x 20

= 9800 J