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)
• Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.
• Potential energy would increase, 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 increase.
The correct answer is:
• Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
As the swimmer jumps from the diving board into the pool, their potential energy decreases due to their decreasing height above the ground. However, since no external forces like friction or air resistance are acting on the swimmer, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy) will remain constant throughout the motion.