Question

A ball rolls from the top of a platform along the staircase-like pathway to the floor. Neglect friction. What is the Eg and Ek at the other points along the path.

Answer 1

Since the total mechanical energy is conserved, kinetic energy (and thus, speed) will be greatest when the potential energy is smallest. Point B is the only point that is lower than point C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its height and is equal to the object's mass multiplied by its height multiplied by the gravitational constant (PE = mgh). Gravitational potential energy is greatest at the highest point of a roller coaster and least at the lowest point.