Question 8 (1 point)
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 less than the potential energy.
b
The kinetic energy is greater than the potential energy.
c
The kinetic energy and potential energy are the same.
d
The kinetic energy is twice the amount of potential energy.
b) The kinetic energy is greater than the potential energy.
a) The kinetic energy is less than the potential energy.
To answer this question, we need to understand the concepts of potential energy and kinetic energy and how they relate to each other in the context of a pole vaulter reaching the top of her vault.
Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or condition. In this case, the pole vaulter has potential energy at the top of her vault because she is elevated above the ground, which gives her the potential to fall or move downwards.
Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. As the pole vaulter reaches the top of her vault, she is momentarily motionless, which means her kinetic energy is zero.
Therefore, at the top of her vault, the pole vaulter has potential energy but no kinetic energy. This means that the option closest to this description is:
a) The kinetic energy is less than the potential energy.
By understanding the definitions of potential and kinetic energy and how they apply to this specific scenario, we can determine the correct answer to the question.