What is the potential energy of an object that weighs 5 pounds and is held 20 feet off the ground?

To find the potential energy of an object held at a certain height, you can use the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is given by:

Potential Energy (PE) = Weight × Height

In this scenario, the object weighs 5 pounds and is positioned 20 feet above the ground. By applying the formula, we can calculate the potential energy as follows:

PE = 5 pounds × 20 feet = 100 foot-pounds

This calculation indicates that the potential energy of the object is 100 foot-pounds. This means that option for 100 foot-pounds is correct as it accurately reflects the product of the weight of the object and its height above the reference point (ground level). This is a fundamental aspect of physics that relates weight, height, and energy.