Which of the following situations would illustrate an increase in gravitational potential energy?

Which of the following situations would illustrate an increase in gravitational potential energy?

• A. A book being pushed across a table
• B. A rock falling from the top of a cliff
• C. A ball being thrown upwards
• D. A car driving on a flat road

Answer: (C)

The increase in gravitational potential energy occurs when an object moves to a higher position in a gravitational field. In the context of this question, when a ball is thrown upwards, it moves against the force of gravity, gaining height as it ascends. As a result, its gravitational potential energy increases because potential energy in a gravitational field is directly related to the height of an object above a reference point, usually the ground. When considering other scenarios: pushing a book across a table does not change its height, and therefore, there is no change in gravitational potential energy; a rock falling from a cliff decreases its height, leading to a decrease in gravitational potential energy; and a car driving on a flat road maintains a constant height, meaning there is no increase in gravitational potential energy either. Thus, throwing a ball upwards is the only situation presented that represents an increase in gravitational potential energy, as it results in a movement to a higher elevation against the force of gravity.

The increase in gravitational potential energy occurs when an object moves to a higher position in a gravitational field. In the context of this question, when a ball is thrown upwards, it moves against the force of gravity, gaining height as it ascends. As a result, its gravitational potential energy increases because potential energy in a gravitational field is directly related to the height of an object above a reference point, usually the ground.

When considering other scenarios: pushing a book across a table does not change its height, and therefore, there is no change in gravitational potential energy; a rock falling from a cliff decreases its height, leading to a decrease in gravitational potential energy; and a car driving on a flat road maintains a constant height, meaning there is no increase in gravitational potential energy either.

Thus, throwing a ball upwards is the only situation presented that represents an increase in gravitational potential energy, as it results in a movement to a higher elevation against the force of gravity.