Question

A diver jumps off a diving platform that is 20 meters long. Describe the transfer of energy that occurs during the fall.

Answer 1

Answer: gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy

Explanation:

When the diver stands on the platform, at 20 m above the surface of the water, he has some gravitational potential energy, which is given by

$E=mgh$

where m is the man's mass, g is the gravitational acceleration and h is the height above the water. As he jumps, the gravitational potential energy starts decreasing, because its height h above the water decreases, and he acquires kinetic energy, which is given by

$K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$

where v is the speed of the diver, which is increasing. When he touches the water, all the initial gravitational potential energy has been converted into kinetic energy.