Question

joshua is holding a book near shoulder - height. use the drop - down menus to indicate what happens to the gravitational potential energy of the book if he places it on each shelf. shelf a shelf b shelf c stays the same increases decreases

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy \(U = mgh\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is height). If the height of the book relative to the ground changes, the gravitational potential energy changes. Assuming shelf A is at the same height as the initial position (shoulder - height), shelf B is lower, and shelf C is higher.

• For shelf A: Since \(h\) (height of the book relative to the ground) remains the same (\(\Delta h=0\)), using \(U = mgh\), the gravitational potential energy stays the same.
• For shelf B: Since \(h\) (height of the book relative to the ground) decreases (\(\Delta h<0\)), using \(U = mgh\), the gravitational potential energy decreases.
• For shelf C: Since \(h\) (height of the book relative to the ground) increases (\(\Delta h > 0\)), using \(U=mgh\), the gravitational potential energy increases.

Answer:

shelf A: stays the same; shelf B: decreases; shelf C: increases.