Final answer:
The work done to lift a 5 kg rock 2 meters is 98 joules, calculated using the formula W = mgd, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and d is distance lifted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves calculating the work done to lift a rock. Work in physics is defined as the force applied to an object multiplied by the distance the object is moved and is given by the formula W = mgd, where W is the work done, m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2 on Earth's surface), and d is the distance over which the force is applied. In this case, a 5 kg rock is lifted 2 meters, so the work done, ignoring any other forces like friction, will be the rock's weight (the force of gravity on the rock) times the distance it is lifted.
The calculation for this problem would be:
W = mgd
W = (5 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(2 m)
W = 98 joules
The amount of work done on the rock in lifting it 2 meters is 98 joules.