Work done in moving a mass in uniform field – Rankers Physics
Topic: Gravitation
Subtopic: Gravitational Potential

Work done in moving a mass in uniform field

Gravitational potential difference between a point on surface of planet and another point 10m above is 4J/kg. Considering gravitational field to be uniform, how much work is done in moving a mass of 2.0 kg from the surface to a point 5.0m above the surface?
0.40 J
2.5 J
4.0 J
8.0 J

Solution:

Since the field is uniform, potential varies linearly with height. Potential difference at \(5.0\text{ m}\) is \(\Delta V = 4 \times \frac{5.0}{10} = 2\text{ J/kg}\. Work done is \(W = m \Delta V = 2.0 \times 2 = 4.0\text{ J}\).

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