Question

There is an object of mass 'm' at a height 'h' from the ground. When you say that the potential energy is 'mgh', which of the following is true

• A. The potential energy at ground level is taken as zero
• B. Potential energy at infinity is taken as zero
• C. Potential energy is stored in the object
• D. 'mgh' is the potential energy of earth-body system

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The correct options are
A The potential energy at ground level is taken as zero
D 'mgh' is the potential energy of earth-body system

The potential energy at ground is taken as zero at ground level. To lift the object to height h, we have do mgh work against gravity, this mgh will be stored as potential energy.