Question

A body is thrown vertically up from the earth’s surface. What happened to its P.E during the motion?

In the above, what happens to P.E. at the highest point

• A. Maximum value
• B. Zero
• C. Minimum value
• D. Infinity

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Maximum value

1. A body at a certain height above the earth’s surface possesses potential energy by virtue of its relative position.
2. $$\begin{gathered} PE=mgh \\ mismass,gisgravitationalaccelrationhisheight \\ atmaximumhieghth=h_{max} \\ hencePE=P{E}_{maxathmax} \end{gathered}$$
3. The potential energy of a body is directly proportional to its height relative to the ground.
4. When a body is thrown vertically upwards, its height from the earth’s surface increases, so its potential energy also increases.
5. At the highest point, that is the maximum height reached by the body, the potential energy of the body becomes maximum.

Thus, when a body is thrown vertically up from the earth’s surface, its P.E at the highest points has the maximum value.

Hence, option (a) is correct.