Question

when was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the scooter and earth? assume that the scooters mass did not change. when the scooter was at kiras school with a charged battery when the scooter used its battery to move along the flat street when the scooter arrived at kiras house with a low battery

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational potential energy formula

Gravitational potential energy \(U = mgh\) (\(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, \(h\) is height).

Step2: Analyze each situation

• When the scooter was at Kira's school with a charged battery: Height \(h\) is non - zero (assuming school is at some height relative to a reference point), so \(U>0\).
• When the scooter used its battery to move along the flat street: Height \(h\) is constant (flat street), so \(\Delta U = 0\) (no change in gravitational potential energy as \(h\) doesn't change).
• When the scooter arrived at Kira's house with a low battery: Height \(h\) is lower than at school (assuming house is at a lower level), so \(U\) is less than when at school.

Answer:

When the scooter used its battery to move along the flat street.