A 0.5 kg mass moves 40 centimeters up the incline shown in the figure below. The vertical height of the incline is 7 centimeters. What is the change in the potential energy (in Joules) of the mass as it goes up the incline?

The change in potential energy of the mass as it goes up the incline is 0.343 joules.

Explanation:

We must remember in this case that change in the potential energy is entirely represented by the change in the gravitational potential energy. From Work-Energy Theorem and definition of work we get that:

Where:

- Gravitational potential energy, measured in Joules.

- Mass, measured in kilograms.

- Gravitational acceleration, measured in meters per square second.

- Change in vertical height, measured in meters.

This work is the energy needed to counteract effects of gravity at given vertical displacement.

If we know that , and , the change in the potential energy of the mass as it goes up the incline is:

The change in potential energy of the mass as it goes up the incline is 0.343 joules.

because it says use -2,0,and 2 for x, we can plug those numbers into the equation. y/4=3/4(-2)+2   y/4= -1 1/2 +2 now to get x by itself, we can multiply each side by 4. y=-6+8 which equals y=2 when x=-2. now you can do the same thing with 0 and 2 as x. you get y=8 when x=0 and y=14 when x=2.

x   |   y

-2 |   2

0   |   8

2   |   14