When a pole vaulter reaches the top of her vault, how does her potential energy compare to her kinetic energy?
a
The kinetic energy is twice the amount of potential energy.
b
The kinetic energy is less than the potential energy.
c
The kinetic energy and potential energy are the same.
d
The kinetic energy is greater than the potential energy
c
The kinetic energy and potential energy are the same.
d
The kinetic energy is greater than the potential energy.
The potential energy of an object is related to its position or height above the ground, while the kinetic energy is related to its motion. To determine how the potential energy and kinetic energy of a pole vaulter compare when she reaches the top of her vault, we need to consider the principles of energy conservation.
At the highest point of the pole vault, the pole vaulter will have reached her maximum height above the ground. When an object is at its highest point, its potential energy is at its maximum. This is because the object has gained potential energy due to its position in the gravitational field.
At the same time, since the pole vaulter is at her highest point, she is momentarily at rest before she starts descending. This means that she has zero velocity and, therefore, zero kinetic energy.
Therefore, at the top of her vault, the potential energy is at its maximum, while the kinetic energy is zero. So, the correct answer is (b) "The kinetic energy is less than the potential energy."