The image shows an apple falling from a window ledge 6 meters off the ground.
a. At which position is the potential energy the greatest?
(1 point)
Responses
6 m
6 m
4 m
4 m
2 m
2 m
0 m
The potential energy is the greatest when the apple is at a height of 6 meters.
The potential energy is greatest at the highest position, which is 6 meters.
To determine at which position the potential energy is the greatest, we need to understand the concept of potential energy and how it varies with height.
Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or condition. In the case of an object near the surface of the Earth, the potential energy is given by the formula P.E. = mgh, where m represents the mass of the object, g represents the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²), and h represents the height or position of the object above a reference point.
In this scenario, the reference point will be taken as the ground. The potential energy will be the greatest when the height (h) is the highest. Looking at the options given:
- 6 m: The potential energy at this position would be potential energy = m * g * 6, where m represents the mass of the apple and g represents the acceleration due to gravity. This option represents the highest position and would have the greatest potential energy since it is highest above the ground.
- 4 m: The potential energy at this position would be potential energy = m * g * 4. This option represents a lower height than the previous one and will have less potential energy.
- 2 m: The potential energy at this position would be potential energy = m * g * 2. This option represents an even lower height and will have less potential energy than the previous two options.
- 0 m: This represents the ground level, and when the apple is at this position, its potential energy is zero. The apple has already fallen and is no longer above the ground, so the potential energy is completely converted to kinetic energy.
Therefore, the option that represents the position with the greatest potential energy is 6 m, as it is the highest position above the ground.