If a rock is thrown into the air, when will it have the greatest potential energy?(1 point)
Responses
When the rock is moving upward.
When the rock is moving upward.
Just before it hits the ground.
Just before it hits the ground.
At its highest point.
At its highest point.
When the rock is moving downward.
At its highest point.
The rock will have the greatest potential energy at its highest point. To understand why, let's break down the concept of potential energy and analyze the motion of the rock as it is thrown into the air.
Potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition. In the case of the rock thrown into the air, potential energy is associated with its vertical height. The higher the rock is, the greater the potential energy it possesses.
When the rock is initially thrown, it starts moving upward against the force of gravity. As it moves upward, its potential energy increases because it gains vertical height. Since potential energy is directly related to height, the rock will have the greatest potential energy at its highest point in the air.
After reaching its highest point, the rock starts moving downward due to the influence of gravity. As it descends, its potential energy decreases because its height decreases. When the rock reaches the ground, it will have the least potential energy, which is zero.
Therefore, the correct answer is: The rock will have the greatest potential energy at its highest point.