When the height of the cylinder increased by a factor of 5, from 100 m to 500 m, what happened to the cylinder's gravitational potential energy? It decreased by a factor of 10. It decreased by a factor of 5. It increased by a factor of 5. It increased by a factor of 10.

C) It increased by a factor of 5.

Answer

option b)

It increased by a factor of 5

Explanation

Given that,

the height of cylinder before increment = 100m

the height of cylinder after increment = 500m

factor by which it is increased = 5

Formula to calculate gravitational potential energy

gravitational P. E = mgh

where m = mass

g = acceleration due to gravity on earth = 9.81 m/s²

h = height

GPE' = new gravitational P. E

mgh' / mgh = GPE' / GPE

mg500/mg100 = GPE' / GPE

cancelling mg

500/100 = GPE' / GPE

5 = GPE' / GPE

GPE' = 5GPE