A student drops a feather and a bowling ball from equal heights in a vacuum. The objects land at the same time. Which graph correctly shows the bowling ball’s total mechanical energy as it falls?(1 point)
Responses
A. Total energy
time
B. Total energy
time
C. Total energy
time
D. Total energy
time
C. Total energy vs. time
Unfortunately, there is no graph provided in your question text. Therefore, I am unable to determine which graph correctly shows the bowling ball's total mechanical energy as it falls.
To determine the correct graph that represents the bowling ball's total mechanical energy as it falls, we need to understand the concept of mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy. As the objects fall in a vacuum, there is no air resistance, so the only energy involved is gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its height above the ground. As the object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases. The total mechanical energy remains constant throughout the fall.
Since the height of the dropped objects is the same, the graph of the bowling ball's total mechanical energy would be a horizontal line since it remains constant. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Total energy vs. time, with a horizontal line representing constant total mechanical energy throughout the fall.