Which falling object will result in the least kinetic energy when it collides with the ground?
100 grams of dirt falling at 15 m/s
10 grams of dirt falling at 2 m/s
100 grams of water falling at 10 m/s
10 grams of water falling at 1 m/s
The kinetic energy of an object is given by the formula KE = (1/2)mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.
Calculating the kinetic energy for each object:
1) For 100 grams of dirt falling at 15 m/s:
KE = (1/2)(0.1 kg)(15 m/s)^2 = 11.25 J
2) For 10 grams of dirt falling at 2 m/s:
KE = (1/2)(0.01 kg)(2 m/s)^2 = 0.02 J
3) For 100 grams of water falling at 10 m/s:
KE = (1/2)(0.1 kg)(10 m/s)^2 = 5 J
4) For 10 grams of water falling at 1 m/s:
KE = (1/2)(0.01 kg)(1 m/s)^2 = 0.005 J
Therefore, the object that results in the least kinetic energy when it collides with the ground is 10 grams of water falling at 1 m/s with 0.005 J of kinetic energy.