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Grade 11Mechanics

A person brings a mass if 1kg from infinity to a point A. Initially, the mass was at rest but it moves at a speed 3m/s as it reaches A. The work done by the person on the mass is -5.5 J. The gravitational potential at A is

a) -1 J/kg

b) -4.5 J/kg

c) -5.5 J/kg

d) -10 J/kg

Profile image of Arnab Mandal
14 Years agoGrade 11
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4 Answers

Profile image of Swapnil Saxena
14 Years ago

Gravitiaonal Potential is the amount of energy needed to bring  a unit mass from infinity to that point without causing any change in its velocity.

Thus, The work Done by the man on the particle  = (Gravitational Potential at that point + Kinetic Energy of the particle)

-5.5 J -Kinetic Energy of the sytem = Gravitational Potential at that point.

-5.5 - 4.5 J(Kinetic Energy of the particle) = Gravitational Potential at that point.

-10 J/kg (Option (d) might be  the answer)

Profile image of Arnab Mandal
14 Years ago

Did not understand!!!

Profile image of KAMAL RAWAT
14 Years ago

Gravitational potential + kinetic energy of particle =workdone

given to us workdone=-5.5 J

and kinetic energy=(m) * square(v) /2

so,here v=3

square(v)=9

mass=1

so kinetic energy=4.5

so, Gravitational potential=-5.5-4.5=-10 J/kg

Profile image of Rishi Sharma
5 Years ago
Dear Student,
Please find below the solution to your problem.

Gravitiaonal Potential is the amount of energy needed to bring a unit mass from infinity to that point without causing any change in its velocity.
Thus, The work Done by the man on the particle = (Gravitational Potential at that point + Kinetic Energy of the particle)
-5.5 J -Kinetic Energy of the sytem = Gravitational Potential at that point.
-5.5 - 4.5 J(Kinetic Energy of the particle) = Gravitational Potential at that point.
-10 J/kg

Thanks and Regards