Final answer:
The total mechanical energy of the volleyball is 945 J.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total mechanical energy of the volleyball, we need to consider both its gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
The gravitational potential energy is given by the formula: U = mgh, where m is the mass of the ball, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²), and h is the height above the ground.
The kinetic energy is given by the formula: KE = (1/2)mv², where m is the mass of the ball and v is its velocity.
Substituting the given values into the formulas and performing the calculations:
- Gravitational Potential Energy (U) = (2.1 kg) * 9.8 m/s² * 0 m (since the ball is on the ground) = 0 J
- Kinetic Energy (KE) = (1/2) * (2.1 kg) * (30 m/s)² = 945 J
Therefore, the total mechanical energy of the volleyball is 945 J.