Here is an example with this lesson plan: Generally you can choose any level to the reference level, but once chosen, be consistent. A 2.0 kg sloth hangs 5.0 m above the ground (Fig. 8-23).
(a) What is the gravitational potential energy U of the sloth-Earth system if we take the reference point `y=0` to be (1) at the grund, (2) at a balcony floor that is 3.0 m above the ground, (3) at the limb, and (4) 1.0 m above the limb? Take the gravitational potential energy to be zero at y=0.

Explanation

To solve the problem of calculating the gravitational potential energy (U) of a 2.0 kg sloth hanging 5.0 m above the ground at different reference levels, we will use the formula for gravitational potential energy:

\[ U = mgh \]

where:
- \( U \) is the gravitational potential energy,
- \( m \) is the mass of the object (in kg),
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)),
...