WORKSHEET:KINETICANDPOTENTIALENERGYPROBLEMS

1. StoredenergyorenergyduetopositionisknownasPotentialenergy.
2. Theformulaforcalculatingpotentialenergyismgh.

3. Thethreefactorsthatdeterminetheamountofpotentialenergyinanobjectare

mass, gravitational acceleration,andheight of an object.

4. Potentialenergyismeasuredinunitsofjoules(J).

5. Massmustbemeasuredinunitsofkg.

6. Gravitationalpullmustbemeasuredinunitsofm/s2.

7. Heightmustbemeasuredinunitsofm.

8. Calculatethepotentialenergyofarockwithamassof55kgwhilesittingona
cliffthatis27mhigh.
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 55kg and h = 27m. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8 m/
s2.
So, PE = 55kg 9.8 m/s2 27m = 14553 J
14553 J

9. Whatdistanceisabookfromthefloorifthebookcontains196Joulesofpotential
energyandhasamassof5kg?
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 5kg and PE = 196 J. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8
m/s2.
So, 196 J = 5kg 9.8 m/s2 xm, x = 4m

4m

10. Anautomobileissittingonahillwhichis20mhigherthangroundlevel.Findthe
massoftheautomobileifitcontains362,600Jofpotentialenergy.

PE = mgh
In this problem, h = 20m and PE = 362,600J. G or gravitational acceleration is always
9.8 m/s2.
So, 362,600J = xkg 9.8 m/s2 20m, x = 1850kg

1850kg

11. Energyof motionis knownas Kineticenergy.

12. Theformulaforcalculatingkineticenergyis1/2mv2.

13. Thetwofactorsthatdeterminetheamountofkineticenergyinanobjectare

massandvelocity.

14. Kineticenergyismeasuredinunitsofjoules(J).

15. Massmustbemeasuredinunitsofkg.

16. Velocitymustbemeasuredinunitsofm/s.

Energy,WorkandPower

17. Calculatethekineticenergyoftherockinproblem#8iftherockrollsdownthe
hillwithavelocityof8m/s.
KE = 1/2mv2
In this problem, m = 55kg and v = 8 m/s.
So, KE = 1/2 82 m/s 55kg = 1760 J

1760 J

18. Calculatethekineticenergyofatruckthathasamassof2900kgandismoving
at55m/s.

KE = 1/2mv2
In this problem, m = 2900kg and v = 55 m/s.
So, KE = 1/2 552 m/s 2900kg = 4386250 J

4386250 J

19. Findthemassofacarthatistravelingatavelocityof60m/sNorth.Thecarhas
5,040,000Jofkineticenergy.
KE = 1/2mv2
In this problem, KE = 5,040,000J and v = 60 m/s.
So, 5,040,000J = 1/2 602 m/s xkg, x = 2800kg

2800kg

20. Howfastisaballrollingifitcontains98Jofkineticenergyandhasamass
of4kg?
KE = 1/2mv2
In this problem, KE = 98J and m = 4 kg.
So, 98J = 1/2 x2 m/s 4kg, x = 7 m/s

7 m/s

WORKSHEET:POTENTIALENERGYPROBLEMS
FillintheBlank:
1. Potentialenergyistheenergymatterhasasaresultofitsmassor
height.
2. Themoremassanobjecthasthe(more/less)potentialenergyithas.
3. Thepotentialenergyanobjecthasduetoitspositioniscalledgravitational
potentialenergy.
4. Theformulaforcalculatinggravitationalpotentialenergyis
PE=mgh.
5. Thevalueof the g constant(the accelerationof all objectsdue to gravity)on earthis
9.8 m/s2.

6. TheSI(metric)unitforenergyisjoulesandthesymbolisJ.

SampleProblems:
7. PE=205.8
m=0.6kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h=35m
8. PE=30J
m=0.3kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 10m
9. PE=7.5J
m=1.6kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 0.48m
10. PE=431.2 J
m=2kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 22m


11. A10kgmassisliftedtoaheightof2m.Whatisitspotentialenergyatthisposition?
GivenFormulaSubstitutionAnswer(withunits)
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 10kg and h = 2m. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8 m/s2.
So, PE = 10kg 9.8 m/s2 2m = 196 J
196 J

12. Atwhatheightisanobjectthathasamassof16kg,ititsgravitationalpotential
energyis7500J?
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 16kg and PE = 7500 J. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8
m/s2.
So, 7500 J = 16kg 9.8 m/s2 xm = 47.83 m
47.83 m

13. PE=1176
m=3kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h=40m
14. PE=74J
m=3.8 kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 1.99 m
15. PE=52J
m=0.3 kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 18 m
16. PE=1078 J
m=5kg
g=9.8 m/s2
h = 22m

17. Whatpotentialenergyisacquiredbyahammerwithamassof0.75kgwhenraised
0.35m?

PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 0.75 kg and h = 0.35m. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8
m/s2.
So, PE = 0.75kg 9.8 m/s2 0.35m = 2.57 J
2.57 J

18. Abookwithamassof1kgisdroppedfromaheightof3m.Whatisthepotential
energyofthebookwhenitreachesthefloor?
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 1 kg and h = 3 m. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8 m/s2.
So, PE = 1kg 9.8 m/s2 3m = 29.4 J
29.4 J

19. Atwhatheightisanobjectthathasamassof50kg,ifitsgravitationalpotential
energyis9800J?
PE = mgh
In this problem, m = 50 kg and PE = 9800 J. G or gravitational acceleration is always
9.8 m/s2.
So, 9800 J = 50kg 9.8 m/s2 xm, x = 20m
20m

20. Whatisthemassofanobjectifitsgravitationalpotentialenergyis3822Janditis
15mabovetheground?
PE = mgh
In this problem, h= 15 m and PE = 3822 J. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8
m/s2.
So, 3822 J = x kg 9.8 m/s2 15m, x = 26 kg

 26 kg

21. Anobjectwithamassof20kgandpotentialenergyof584Jiswhatdistance
abovetheground?
PE = mgh
In this problem, m= 20 kg and PE = 584 J. G or gravitational acceleration is always 9.8
m/s2.
So, 584 J = 20 kg 9.8 m/s2 xm, x = 2.98m
2.98m

Work
Writetheequationandunitsforwork:
Equation: W = Fd, unit is joules(J).

1. Aweightlifterliftsasetofweightsaverticaldistanceof2m.Ifaconstantnetforceof
350Nisexertedontheweights,whatisthenetworkdoneontheweights?
W = Fd
In this problem, f = 350 N and d = 2m.
So, W = 350 N 2m = 700 J

700 J

2. Ashopperinasupermarketpushesacartwithaforceof35Ndirectedatanangle
of25degreesdownwardfromthehorizontal.Findtheworkdonebytheshopperonthe
cartastheshoppermovesalonga50mlengthofaisle.


3. If2Jofworkisdoneinraisinga180gapple,howfarisitlifted?

W = Fd
In this problem, W = 2 J. Because F = mg, F = 0.18 kg 9.8 = 1.764 N
So, 2 J = 1.764 N xm, x = 1.13 m

1.13 m

4. Foreachofthefollowingcases,indicatewhethertheworkdoneonthesecond
objectineachexamplewillhaveapositiveoranegativevalue.
a. Theroadexertsafrictionforceonaspeedingcarskiddingtoastop.
"
Negative value

b.Aropeexertsaforceonabucketasthebuckettisraisedupawell.
"
Positive value

c.AirexertsaforceonaparachuteastheparachutistfallstoEarth.
"
Negative value

5. Ifaneighborpushesalawnmowerfourtimesasfarasyoudobutexertsonlyhalfthe
force,whichoneofyoudoesmoreworkandbyhowmuch?
W = Fd
Lets say a neighbor pushes a lawnmower 4m with 1 N of power. Then, I would push it
1m with 2 N of power.
A neighbor did 4m 1N = 4J of work and I did 1m 2N = 2J of work. Thus, a neighbor
did twice more work than me.
A neighbor did twice more work than me.

6. Aworkerpushesa1500Ncratewithahorizontalforceof345Nadistanceof24m.
Assumethecoefficientofkineticfrictionbetweenthecrateandtheflooris22.

a. Howmuchworkisdonebytheworkeronthecrate?

b.Howmuchworkisdonebytheflooronthecrate?

c.Whatisthenetworkdoneonthecrate?

7. A0.075 kg ball in a kineticsculpturemovesat a constantspeedalonga motorized

verticalconveyorbelt.Theballrises1.32mabovetheground.Aconstantfrictionalforc
eof35Nactsinthedirectionoppositetheconveyorbeltsmotion.Whatisthenetwork
doneontheball?

8. Foreachofthefollowingstatements,identifywhethertheeverydayorthescientific
meaningofworkisintended.
a. Jackhadtoworkagainsttimeasthedeadlineneared.
"
Everyday work

b. Jillhadtoworkonherhomeworkbeforeshewenttobed.
"
Everyday work

c. Jackdidworkcarryingthepailofwaterupthehill.
"
Scientific work

9. Determinewhetherworkisbeingdoneineachofthefollowingexamples:
a. atrainenginepullingaloadedboxcarinitiallyatrest
"
Work is being done.

b. atugofwarthatisevenlymatched
"
Work is NOT being done.

c. acraneliftingacar
"
Work is being done.

10.HowmuchworkdoesBobbyperforminpushinga35Ncrateadistanceof4meters
?Listknownvaluesformulasubstitutionanswer&units

W = Fd
In this problem, f = 35 N and d = 4m.
So, W = 35 N 4m = 140 J

140 J

11. Howfarwilla70Ncratebemovedif3500Jorworkareaccomplished?
listknownvaluesformulasubstitutionanswer&units

W = Fd
In this problem, f = 70 N and W = 3500 J.
So, 3500 J = 70 N xm, x = 50 m

50m

12. Whatforceisneededtomoveabarrel25mif225Jofworkareaccomplished?
W = Fd
In this problem, d= 25 m and W = 225 J.
So, 225 J = x N 25m, x = 5 N

5N

13. Peggyuses a forceof 40 N to move the grocerybasket18 meters.How much work

didsheperform?

W = Fd
In this problem, F = 40 N and d = 18 m.
So, W= 40 N 18m = 720 J

720 J

14. Howfarwilla150Ncratebemovedif600Jorworkareperformed?

W = Fd
In this problem, f = 150 N and W = 600 J.
So, 600 J = 150 N xm, x = 4 m

4m

15. Whatdistanceisneededtoliftaboxthatweighs300Nif15000Jofworkare
accomplished?

W = Fd
In this problem, F = 300 N and W = 15000 J.

So, 15000 J = 300 N xm, x = 50 m

50 m

16. Howfarwilla700Ncratebemovedif2800Jorworkareaccomplished?

W = Fd
In this problem, f = 700 N and W = 2800 J.
So, 2800 J = 700 N xm, x = 4m

4m

17. Whatforceisneededtomoveabarrel45mif3600Jofworkareaccomplished?

W = Fd
In this problem, d= 45 m and W = 3600 J.
So, 3600 J = x N 45m, x = 80 N

80 N

18. HowmuchworkdoesBillyperformifhepushesthe8000Nstalledcaradistance?
of25meters?

W = Fd
In this problem, F = 8000 N and d = 25 m.
So, W= 8000 N 25m = 200000 J

200000 J

19. Grantstands3mfromthecheckoutatthegrocerystoreholdinga20Nbagof
potatoesfor10minutes.Howmuchworkdoesheperform?
W = Fd
In this problem, F = 20 N and d = 3 m.
So, W= 20 N 3m = 60 J

 60 J