8. Which object has the greatest gravitational potential energy? a) 0.25 kg ball stuck in a tree 2 m above the ground b) 100 kg rock sitting on the earth c) 1 kg box resting on a shelf 5 m above the earth

## Step 1<br />The gravitational potential energy of an object is given by the formula:<br />### \( PE = mgh \)<br />where \( m \) is the mass of the object, \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \( h \) is the height of the object above the ground.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to calculate the gravitational potential energy for each of the given objects using the formula.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />For the 0.25 kg ball stuck in a tree 2 m above the ground, the gravitational potential energy is calculated as:<br />### \( PE = 0.25 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 2 m = 4.9 Joules \)<br /><br />## Step 4<br />For the 100 kg rock sitting on the earth, the gravitational potential energy is calculated as:<br />### \( PE = 100 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 0 m = 0 Joules \)<br /><br />## Step 5<br />For the 1 kg box resting on a shelf 5 m above the earth, the gravitational potential energy is calculated as:<br />### \( PE = 1 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 5 m = 49 Joules \)<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Comparing the gravitational potential energy of all three objects, the 1 kg box resting on a shelf 5 m above the earth has the greatest gravitational potential energy.