When it comes to lifting objects against gravity, the concept of gravitational work is crucial. In simple terms, gravitational work refers to the energy required to lift a mass to a certain height against the gravitational force. The formula to calculate this work is given by: \[ W = mgh \]
Here, \( W \) represents the work done, \( m \) is the mass of the object, \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² on Earth), and \( h \) is the height to which the object is lifted.
- Mass: The amount of matter in the object.
- Gravity: A constant that represents the force pulling objects toward the Earth's center.
- Height: The vertical distance the object is moved against gravity.
In the original problem, lifting 800 kg of water to a height of 14 meters requires a certain amount of energy. Using the formula, you can calculate this as approximately 109,872 Joules. This energy expenditure is what keeps the water elevated and ready for its next phase of movement.