High School

What is the potential energy of a 25 kg bicycle resting at the top of a hill 3 m high?

(Formula: [tex]PE = mgh[/tex])

A. 75 J
B. 735 J
C. 245 J

Answer :

To find the potential energy, we use the formula

[tex]$$
PE = mgh,
$$[/tex]

where:
- [tex]$m$[/tex] is the mass in kilograms,
- [tex]$g$[/tex] is the gravitational acceleration (approximately [tex]$9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2$[/tex]),
- [tex]$h$[/tex] is the height in meters.

Given:
- [tex]$m = 25 \, \text{kg}$[/tex],
- [tex]$h = 3 \, \text{m}$[/tex],
- [tex]$g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2$[/tex].

Substitute these values into the formula:

[tex]$$
PE = 25 \times 9.8 \times 3.
$$[/tex]

Now, calculate step by step:

1. Multiply the mass and gravitational acceleration:
[tex]$$
25 \times 9.8 = 245.
$$[/tex]
2. Multiply the result by the height:
[tex]$$
245 \times 3 = 735.
$$[/tex]

Thus, the potential energy is

[tex]$$
PE = 735 \, \text{Joules}.
$$[/tex]