Answer to Question #69058 in Mechanics | Relativity for Diego Mendoza

Question

Suppose all of the apples have a mass of 0.10 kg and one of the apples in the bowl (C) is 1.0 meter off the ground. If the apple (C) falls from the table, what is the maximum kinetic energy it can gain?

Answer 1

The energy conservation law can be used here. When the apple lies on the table its kinetic energy is zero (the apple does not move), but it potential energy is
U=mgh=0.1*10*1=1 J
So the full energy is 1 J. On the ground (h=0) the potential energy is zero, but the kinetic energy is non zero and it equals to 1 J.
Answer 1 J.