General Science • PhysicsMedium
Which of the following statements concerning the gravitational potential energy of an object near the surface of the Earth is correct?
A. It is always positive regardless of the reference level chosen
B. It depends only on the path taken to reach that height
C. It is a scalar quantity and depends linearly on height above a chosen reference level✓ Correct Answer
D. It is a vector quantity pointing towards the center of the Earth
💡 Solution & Explanation
Gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface is calculated as the product of mass, gravitational acceleration, and height relative to an arbitrarily chosen zero potential reference level, making it a scalar quantity. Because gravity is a conservative force, the work done and potential energy change depend solely on the initial and final vertical positions, independent of the path taken. Incorrect assertions about vectors confuse force with potential energy. The SI unit of gravitational potential energy is the joule.
More General Science Physics questions
- According to Kepler's third law of planetary motion, the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly…
- Which of the following statements correctly explains why a bucket filled with water feels lighter when…
- Which device is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy based on the principle of…
- Which of the following statements correctly describes the nature of stationary or standing waves?
- According to Lenz's law in electromagnetic induction, the direction of the induced current is such that it: