Question

Define potential energy.
An object thrown at a certain angle to the ground moves in a curved path and falls back to the ground. The initial and the final points of the path of the object lie on the same horizontal line. What is the work done by the force of gravity on the object? [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

Each point: 1 Mark

1. The energy stored in a body by virtue of its position or configuration is called potential energy.

2.Work done by the force of gravity on an object depends only on vertical displacement. Vertical displacement is given by the difference in the initial and final positions/heights of the object, which is zero.

3.Work done by gravity is given by the expression,
W= m g h
Where,
h= Vertical displacement = 0
$W=mg\times 0=0J$
Therefore, the work done by gravity on the given object is zero joule.