Potential energy of a book resting on a floor

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SUMMARY

A book resting on the floor has zero potential energy, as established by the equation U(floor) = 0. When a book is elevated to a height h, its potential energy is calculated using the formula U = mgh, where m represents the mass of the book and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The work-energy theorem confirms that the work done in raising the book from the floor to a table height is equal to the change in potential energy. Therefore, the potential energy of the book on the floor is effectively zero, as it serves as the reference point for potential energy calculations.

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chandran
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What energy a book resting on a floor has? If it rests on a table it will have a potential energy equal to mgh where h is the height of the table,m is the mass of the book and g is the gravity but if it rests on the floor what is the energy it has? Any thoughts on this?
 
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Whatever you want. I can readjust the "zero" of my potential energy by adding a constant to it without affecting the physical dynamics of any problem.
 
chandran said:
What energy a book resting on a floor has? If it rests on a table it will have a potential energy equal to mgh.
The work done in raising the book from the floor to the top of the table, at height h, is W = F.d = mg.h. So, we have, from the work-energy theorem : U(floor) + work done = U(table), and plugging in values, U(floor) + mgh = mgh. Hence, U(floor) = 0
 

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