94.7k views
4 votes
If a bouncing ball has a total energy of 20 J and a kinetic energy of 5 J, the ball’s potential energy isJ. If the kinetic energy of the ball decreases, then the potential energy will

2 Answers

3 votes

Final answer:

The potential energy of the bouncing ball is 15 J. If the kinetic energy decreases, the potential energy will remain the same as long as the total energy remains constant.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the potential energy of a bouncing ball, we need to use the equation:

Potential Energy (PE) = Total Energy (TE) - Kinetic Energy (KE)

Given that the total energy of the ball is 20 J and its kinetic energy is 5 J, we can substitute these values into the equation:

PE = 20 J - 5 J = 15 J

Therefore, the ball's potential energy is 15 J.

If the kinetic energy of the ball decreases, the potential energy will remain the same as long as the total energy remains constant. However, if the total energy decreases, the potential energy will also decrease.

User Vulcronos
by
6.3k points
4 votes
the sum of the energies of the body is always equal to the total energy, according to the law of conservation of energy.

Etotal= KE+PE
PE= Etotal-KE= 20-5= 15J

To keep this total energy constant, when kinetic energy if the ball decreases, the potential energy increases, and vise versa.

Hope this helps.
User Rafaelgomesxyz
by
7.0k points