Potential Energy Transparency Master	Forms of Energy - Potential Energy: Activity 2

Objects which are raised above the ground have gravitational potential energy (Ep). The potential energy can be calculated using Ep = mgh, where g has the value 9.8, m is the object's mass in kg., and h is its height in metres above the ground. This energy can be extracted to do useful work.

Transparency Master

A 1 kilogram brick is carried up the Eiffel Tower to the 275m platform. How much gravitational potential energy does the brick acquire? A balloon flying by drops a 1 kilogram brick from a height of 275m. How much gravitational potential energy does the brick have before it is dropped? How much kinetic energy does the brick (from question 2 above) have at the instant it reaches the ground? (Hint: What is the gravitational potential energy of the brick at the instant it reaches the ground?) How much energy is required for a 60kg person to climb 500m up the stairs of Toronto's CN Tower? How much gravitational potential energy is in 1m3 of water at the brink of Niagara Falls? 1m3 has a mass of 1000kg and Niagara Fall is approximately 50m high.