What is the increase in potential energy when a 200 N block of ice is lifted a vertical distance of 2.5m

Question

What is the increase in potential energy when a 200 N block of ice is lifted a vertical distance of 2.5m (round answer to the nearest integer)

Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy is equal to the amount of work one has to do to move a mass in a direction opposing that of the gravitational field. In other words, gravitational potential energy (U) = Force x Distance. The force is simply the weight of the block, 200 N, and the distance against the field is 2.5 m. We know it's against the field because the question tells us that the distance is vertical and we know from our experience here on Earth that gravity tends to pull things down vertically, not up or horizontally. So, U= (200 N)x(2.5 m) = 500 Nm = 500 Joules.