A ball is held at the top of a table. The person holding the ball drops it, and the ball is allowed to fall toward Earth. Answer the following questions about the ball.
When the ball is held at the top of the table (before being dropped), what type of energy does the ball have?
A. kinetic energy
B. motion energy
C. potential energy
D. electrical energy
C. potential energy
As the ball is falling, what is happening to its energy?
A. kinetic energy stays the same as it falls
B. potential energy converts to kinetic energy as it falls
C. potential energy stays the same as it falls
D. kinetic energy converts to potential energy as it falls
B. potential energy converts to kinetic energy as it falls
Just before the ball hits the ground, how are its speed and kinetic energy related?
A. Both speed and kinetic energy are at their greatest values.
B. Speed is at its lowest value, which kinetic energy is at its highest value.
C. Both speed and kinetic energy are at their lowest values.
D. Speed is at its highest value, while kinetic energy is at its lowest value.