As the ball is falling, what happened to us energy
As the ball falls, its potential energy is gradually converted into kinetic energy. Initially, when the ball is at a higher position, it possesses more potential energy due to its gravitational potential. However, as it starts falling, this potential energy decreases, while its kinetic energy increases. This energy conversion occurs because the force of gravity is doing work on the ball as it moves against its gravitational pull. Eventually, when the ball reaches the ground, its potential energy will be almost zero, but its kinetic energy will be at its maximum.
As the ball is falling, there is a conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy. Here are the steps:
1. Initially, when the ball is at rest at a certain height, it possesses gravitational potential energy due to its position relative to the ground. The potential energy is given by the formula PE = m * g * h, where m is the mass of the ball, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the ball above the ground.
2. As the ball starts to fall, its potential energy decreases because the height decreases.
3. Simultaneously, the ball gains kinetic energy, which is the energy associated with its motion. The kinetic energy is given by the formula KE = (1/2) * m * v^2, where m is the mass of the ball and v is its velocity.
4. The potential energy continues to decrease as the ball falls closer to the ground, while the kinetic energy simultaneously increases.
5. When the ball reaches the ground, its potential energy is zero (as the height is zero), and all the initial potential energy is fully converted into kinetic energy.
In summary, as the ball falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases. The total energy of the system (potential energy + kinetic energy) remains constant in accordance with the conservation of energy principle.