A swimmer jumps from a diving board into a pool. What would a graph of the swimmer's potential energy and total mechanical energy look like?(1 point) Responses Potential energy would increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant. Potential energy would increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant. Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase. Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase. Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant. Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant. Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.

The correct answer is: Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.

The correct answer is: Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.

The correct answer is "Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant."

To explain why, we need to understand the concept of potential energy and total mechanical energy.

Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or state. In this case, the swimmer has potential energy when they are on the diving board, elevated above the pool's surface. As the swimmer jumps off the diving board and falls towards the pool, their potential energy decreases because they are getting closer to the pool's surface.

Total mechanical energy is the sum of an object's potential energy and kinetic energy. As the swimmer jumps off the diving board and falls towards the pool, their potential energy decreases. However, their kinetic energy increases as they gain speed during the fall. Since the total mechanical energy is the sum of these two energies, the decrease in potential energy is compensated by an increase in kinetic energy, resulting in a constant total mechanical energy.

Therefore, on a graph, the potential energy of the swimmer would decrease, while the total mechanical energy would remain constant throughout the jump.