Question

What happens to the potential energy of a body when the body is taken on the surface of the Moon.

Answer 1

Definition of potential energy:

1. The energy possessed by a body on account of its position or configuration, is called potential energy.

Mathematical expression for potential energy:

$$\begin{gathered} PotentialEnergy=mass\times accelerationduetogravity\times height \\ \therefore P.E.=m\times g\times h \end{gathered}$$

Explanation:

We know,$P.E=m\times g\times h$

$Accelerationonthemoon=\frac{1}{6}\times accelerationonearth$

According to the question,

When the body is taken on the surface of Moon.

New, $PotentialEnergy=P.E.\text{'}$

$P.E.\text{'}=m\times (\frac{1}{6}g)\times h$

$\therefore P.E.\text{'}=\frac{1}{6}\times m\times g\times h=\frac{1}{6}\times P.E.$

Hence, the new potential energy becomes $\frac{1}{6}$ times of the original.