A 0.620 kg basketball is dropped out of a window that is 6.40 m above the ground. The ball is caught by a person whose hands are 1.61 m above the ground. How much work is done on the ball by its weight?
To calculate the work done on the basketball by its weight, you need to determine the change in potential energy as the ball falls from the window to the person's hands.
The formula to calculate potential energy is:
Potential Energy = mass * acceleration due to gravity * height
First, determine the potential energy of the basketball when it is at the height of the window:
Potential Energy at the window = mass * acceleration due to gravity * height
Potential Energy at the window = 0.620 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 6.40 m
Next, calculate the potential energy of the basketball when it is caught by the person's hands:
Potential Energy at the hands = mass * acceleration due to gravity * height
Potential Energy at the hands = 0.620 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 1.61 m
Now, subtract the potential energy at the hands from the potential energy at the window to find the change in potential energy:
Change in Potential Energy = Potential Energy at the window - Potential Energy at the hands
Finally, calculate the work done on the ball by its weight, which is equal to the change in potential energy:
Work done on the ball = Change in Potential Energy
Substitute the values into the formula to get the final answer.
This process will give you the amount of work done on the basketball by its weight as it falls from the window to the person's hands.