Final answer:
When a stone is dropped from a height, it falls towards the ground due to the force of gravity. As it falls, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The speed with which it strikes the ground can be determined using the Principle of Conservation of Energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a stone is dropped from a height, it falls towards the ground due to the force of gravity. As it falls, it gains speed and its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The speed with which the stone strikes the ground can be determined using the Principle of Conservation of Energy.
According to the Principle of Conservation of Energy, the total mechanical energy of an object remains constant if no external forces are acting on it. In this case, the stone is only affected by gravity, so the potential energy it initially has is gradually converted into kinetic energy as it falls.
The potential energy of the stone can be calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the stone, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height from which the stone is dropped. The initial potential energy of the stone can be equated to its final kinetic energy using the equation PE = KE, where KE = 0.5mv^2, with v being the speed of the stone when it strikes the ground. By rearranging the equation and solving for v, the speed of the stone can be calculated.