Question

A car is accelerated on a leveled road and attains a velocity$4times$of its initial velocity. In this process the potential energy of the car

• A. Does not change
• B. Becomes twice to that of initial
• C. Becomes 4 times that of initial
• D. Becomes 16 times that of initial

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Does not change

Explanation for the correct answer:

1. Potential energy is the product of height, mass, and gravity. Hence, height is a factor in determining potential energy.
2. Potential energy only depends on the position of the object that is its height, and it is given by $U=mgh$, $m$is mass of the object, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, $h$ is height.
3. Here the height does not change hence potential energy of the car does not change.
4. So, we can see that potential energy is not dependent on velocity, therefore velocity does not affect potential energy.

Therefore, if a car is accelerated on a leveled road and attains a velocity$4times$of its initial velocity, the potential energy of the car does not change.

Hence, option A is correct.