A free falling body weighing 2 kg has a total energy of 12 J. Determine the height at which the potential

A free falling body weighing 2 kg has a total energy of 12 J. Determine the height at which the potential energy is three times the kinetic energy.

Data: m (mass of a freely falling body) = 2 kg; E (total energy of a given body) = 12 J; En (potential energy) = 3Ek (kinetic energy).

Reference values: g (acceleration due to gravity) ≈ 10 m / s2.

1) Let us determine the potential energy of a given body: En + Ek = 3Ek + Ek = 4Ek = 12 J. Therefore, Ek = E / 4 = 12/4 = 3 J and En = E – Ek = 12 – 3 = 9 J.

2) Determine the height at which this body should be located: En = m * g * h and h = En / (m * g) = 9 / (2 * 10) = 9/20 = 0.45 m.