A feather and a bowling ball are each dropped from an equal height in a vacuum and land at the same time. Which graph shows the total mechanical energy of the bowling ball as it falls?Responses
Since both the feather and the bowling ball are dropped from an equal height in a vacuum, there is no air resistance acting on either object. This means that the only force affecting the motion of both objects is gravity.
According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy of an object in free fall remains constant, with the initial potential energy being converted into kinetic energy as the object falls.
Therefore, the graph depicting the total mechanical energy of the bowling ball as it falls will show a constant value over time. The correct graph would be a horizontal line.
None of the provided options depict a horizontal line, but graph D shows a gradual decrease in mechanical energy as time progresses. Thus, graph D would be the most appropriate choice among the given options.