Question

If a stone of mass m falls a vertical distance d, the decrease in gravitational potential energy

• A. mg/d
• B. md²/2
• C. mgd
• D. md/g

Answer 1

The correct option is C

mgd

Step 1: Given data

Mass of the stone is, $m$

Distance through which the stone falls is $d$

Step 2: Calculating the gravitational potential energy

Potential energy is given as,

$PE=mgh$

where, $m$ is mass, $g$ is acceleration due to gravity and $h$ is height.

Since the stone falls through a height of $d$, therefore,

$PE=mgd$

Therefore, the decrease in gravitational potential energy is $mgd$.

Hence, option (C) is correct.