A 2000 kg elevator with broken cables in a test rig is falling at 4.0 m/s when itcontacts a cushioning spring at the bottom of the shaft. The spring is intendedto stop the elevator, compressing 2.0 m as it does so. During the motion asafety clamp applies a constant 17,000 N frictional force to the elevator. Whatis the necessary spring constant, k

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh

where… mass: measured in kilograms (kg)

gravity: gravity constant on earth = 10.00 m/s2

height: measured in meters (m)

gpe: measured in joules (j) or kilojoules (kj)

how do you solve gpe?

gravitational potential energy (gpe) is the energy an object has because of its position above the. ground.

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh.

mass:

note: to earn full marks when solving science word problems, you must show your work:

formula.

example:

given values:

mass = 0.3 kg.