What is the potential energy of a 0.0780 kg lemming running off a 5.36 m high cliff at 4.84 m/s?
The potential energy can be calculated using the formula:
P.E = mgh ............... Equation 1
Where P.E = Potential energy, m = lemming mass, h = height, g = acceleration due to gravity
Given: m = 0.0780 kg, h = 5.36 m, g = 9.8 m/s²
Substitute these values into equation 1:
P.E = 0.0780 * 9.8 * 5.36
P.E = 4.097 Joules
Therefore, the potential energy of the lemming jumping off the cliff is 4.097 Joules.
Explanation
The potential energy of an object at a height above the ground can be calculated using the formula P.E = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object above the reference point. In this scenario, a lemming with a mass of 0.0780 kg runs off a 5.36 m high cliff at a velocity of 4.84 m/s.
By substituting the given values into the formula and solving for the potential energy, we get:
P.E = 0.0780 * 9.8 * 5.36
P.E = 4.097 Joules
This means that when the lemming jumps off the cliff, it possesses a potential energy of 4.097 Joules due to its position in the gravitational field. As the lemming falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which can be calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * m * v², where v is the velocity of the lemming.
In conclusion, the potential energy of the lemming as it jumps off the cliff is 4.097 Joules, representing the energy stored in the object's position relative to the ground.