Question

A 12 g plastic ball is dropped from a height of 2.5 m and is moving at 3.2 m/s just before it hits the floor. How much mechanical energy was lost during the fall?

Answer 1

Answer:

0.24

Explanation:

Mass of ball= 12g=0.012Kg

height of ball= 2.5m

velocity of ball before falling= 3.2m/s

potential energy of the ball=mgh= 0.012*10*2.5=0.3J

kinetic energy of the ball=0.5*m$v^{2}$=0.5*0.012*3.2*3.2=0.6J

Loss in mechanical energy during the fall= potential energy- Kinetic energy= 0.3-0.06=0.24J

note: During the fall, the potential energy of the ball is converted to kinetic energy. the loss in energy is due to air resistance.