Question

When a ball rolls down a hill, what energy conversion occurs?

Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy

Step-by-step explanation:

For the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy of the ball is constant:

`E=K+U=const.`

where

`K=(1)/(2)mv^2` is the kinetic energy of the ball, with m being its mass and v its speed

`U=mgh` is the gravitational potential energy, with g being the gravitational acceleration and h the height of the ball with respect to the ground

When the ball rolls down a hill, its height above the ground (h) decreases. This means that the gravitational potential energy (U) decreases, but since E (mechanical energy) must remain constant, it means that the kinetic energy (K) increases. Therefore, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

Answer 2

When the ball rolls down a hill, potential energy conversion takes place to kinetic energy.

As the ball on rests on a hill of height h from the ground then, potential energy = mgh

And, when it starts rolling down the hill, then kinetic energy = 1/2 mv^2.

The energy remains constant.