Potential Energy Worksheet

Name: ___________________________
Date: ___________________________
Class: ___________________________

A. Choose the Correct Answer

1. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object because of its:
   a) Motion
   b) Position
   c) Sound
   d) Temperature
2. The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its:
   a) Mass and height
   b) Color and shape
   c) Speed and temperature
   d) Sound and size
3. Which object has the greatest gravitational potential energy?
   a) A 2 kg ball on the ground
   b) A 2 kg ball on a table
   c) A 2 kg ball on a roof
   d) A 2 kg ball in a box on the ground
4. The standard unit of energy is:
   a) Newton
   b) Watt
   c) Joule
   d) Meter
5. If the height of an object increases, its gravitational potential energy:
   a) Decreases
   b) Increases
   c) Becomes zero
   d) Stays the same
6. If the mass of an object doubles while height remains the same, its gravitational potential energy:
   a) Halves
   b) Doubles
   c) Becomes zero
   d) Does not change
7. Which object has stored gravitational potential energy?
   a) A book resting on a high shelf
   b) A car moving on a road
   c) A fan spinning
   d) A person running
8. Which is an example of elastic potential energy?
   a) A stretched rubber band
   b) A moving bicycle
   c) A falling stone
   d) A moving car
9. Gravitational potential energy is greater when an object is:
   a) Lower
   b) Higher
   c) Moving faster
   d) Smaller
10. When a ball falls from a height, its gravitational potential energy is mainly converted into:
    a) Kinetic energy
    b) Sound energy only
    c) Chemical energy
    d) Light energy

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B. Fill in the Blanks

11. Potential energy is __________ energy stored in an object.
12. Gravitational potential energy depends on mass, gravity, and __________.
13. The formula for gravitational potential energy is __________.
14. The SI unit of potential energy is the __________.
15. A heavier object at the same height has __________ potential energy.
16. An object at a greater height has __________ gravitational potential energy.
17. A stretched spring contains __________ potential energy.
18. A ball held above the ground has __________ potential energy.
19. When an object falls, its potential energy is converted mainly into __________ energy.
20. The symbol for gravitational potential energy is commonly written as __________.

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C. True or False

21. Potential energy is energy stored because of an object’s position or condition. ________
22. A book on a high shelf can have gravitational potential energy. ________
23. Increasing the height of an object decreases its gravitational potential energy. ________
24. The unit of energy is the joule. ________
25. A stretched rubber band can store potential energy. ________
26. A heavier object at the same height generally has more gravitational potential energy. ________
27. An object on the ground always has no potential energy of any kind. ________
28. Gravitational potential energy depends on mass and height. ________
29. Potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy. ________
30. A stationary object can never have potential energy. ________

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D. Calculate the Gravitational Potential Energy

Use:

PE = m × g × h

For these questions, use g = 10 m/s².

31. A 2 kg object is placed 5 m above the ground. Find its potential energy.
32. A 4 kg box is lifted to a height of 3 m. Find its potential energy.
33. A 5 kg object is placed 8 m above the ground. Find its potential energy.
34. A 10 kg object is lifted to a height of 2 m. Find its potential energy.
35. A 6 kg object is placed 4 m above the ground. Find its potential energy.
36. A 3 kg ball is held at a height of 10 m. Find its potential energy.
37. A 7 kg object is lifted to a height of 5 m. Find its potential energy.
38. A 12 kg box is placed on a platform 2 m high. Find its potential energy.
39. A 15 kg object is placed 4 m above the ground. Find its potential energy.
40. A 20 kg object is lifted to a height of 3 m. Find its potential energy.

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E. Short-Answer Questions

41. What is potential energy?
42. What is gravitational potential energy?
43. Write the formula for gravitational potential energy.
44. Name two factors that affect gravitational potential energy.
45. Give two examples of objects that have gravitational potential energy.
46. Give one example of elastic potential energy.
47. What happens to potential energy when the height of an object increases?
48. What happens to potential energy when the mass of an object increases?
49. How can potential energy change into kinetic energy?
50. Why does a book on a high shelf have more gravitational potential energy than the same book on a lower shelf?

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Answer Key

A. Multiple Choice

1. b) Position
2. a) Mass and height
3. c) A 2 kg ball on a roof
4. c) Joule
5. b) Increases
6. b) Doubles
7. a) A book resting on a high shelf
8. a) A stretched rubber band
9. b) Higher
10. a) Kinetic energy

B. Fill in the Blanks

11. stored
12. height
13. PE = mgh
14. joule
15. greater/more
16. greater/more
17. elastic potential
18. gravitational potential
19. kinetic
20. PE

C. True or False

21. True
22. True
23. False
24. True
25. True
26. True
27. False
28. True
29. True
30. False

D. Calculations

31. PE = 2 × 10 × 5 = 100 J
32. PE = 4 × 10 × 3 = 120 J
33. PE = 5 × 10 × 8 = 400 J
34. PE = 10 × 10 × 2 = 200 J
35. PE = 6 × 10 × 4 = 240 J
36. PE = 3 × 10 × 10 = 300 J
37. PE = 7 × 10 × 5 = 350 J
38. PE = 12 × 10 × 2 = 240 J
39. PE = 15 × 10 × 4 = 600 J
40. PE = 20 × 10 × 3 = 600 J

E. Sample Answers

41. Potential energy is stored energy that an object has because of its position or condition.
42. Gravitational potential energy is energy stored in an object because of its height above a reference point.
43. PE = mgh
44. Mass and height are two factors that affect gravitational potential energy.
45. Examples: a book on a shelf and a ball held above the ground.
46. A stretched rubber band is an example of elastic potential energy.
47. When height increases, gravitational potential energy increases.
48. When mass increases, gravitational potential energy increases if height remains the same.
49. As an object falls, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
50. The book on the higher shelf has greater gravitational potential energy because it is at a greater height.