Question

The diagram shows a ball resting at the top of a hill.

Answer 1

Answer:

The potential energy in the system is greatest at X.

The first option

Answer 2

Answer:

a) The potential energy in the system is greatest at X.

Explanation:

Let be X the point where a ball rests at the top of a hill. By applying the Principle of Energy Conservation, the total energy in the physical system remains constant and gravitational potential energy at the top of the hill is equal to the sum of kinetic energy, a lower gravitational energy and dissipated work due to nonconservative forces (friction, dragging).

$U_{grav, X} = U_{grav, Y} + K_{Y} + \Delta W_{X \rightarrow Y} = U_{grav,Z}+\Delta W_{X \rightarrow Z}$

Conclusions are showed as follows:

a) The potential energy in the system is greatest at X.

b) The kinetic energy is the lowest at X and Z.

c) Total energy remains constant as the ball moves from X to Y.

Hence, the correct answer is A.