If a 6.0-kilogram box is moved from the floor to a storage compartment 2.0 meters above the floor, by how many joules does its gravitational potential energy change? Round your answer to the tens place and include units with your answer.

The answer is 117.7 J.

Gravitational potential energy is the stored energy of the object as the result of its height:

E = m · g · h

where

E - the potential energy of the object: E = ?

m - the mass of the object: m = 6 kg

g - gravitational acceleration: g = 9.81 m/s²

h - the height of the object: h = 2 m

On the ground (h = 0), the gravitation potential energy does not exist: E = 0.

So, let's calculate it on the height of 2 m:

E = 6 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 2 m = 117.72 J ≈ 117.7 J