Final answer:
In Galileo's experiment, he dropped objects of different masses to show that all objects fall at the same rate due to gravity. To calculate the change in potential energy (PE) of a 5.0 Kg cannonball dropped from a height of 12 m, we can use the formula PE = m * g * h. The change in PE would be -588 J, which is closest to option A) -600 J.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Galileo's experiment, he dropped objects of different masses from the Tower of Pisa to demonstrate that all objects, regardless of their mass, experience the same acceleration due to gravity when factors such as air resistance are kept constant. This means that heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.
If Galileo had dropped a 5.0 Kg cannonball from a height of 12 m, the change in potential energy (PE) of the cannonball can be calculated using the formula: PE = m * g * h, where m is the mass (5.0 Kg), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height (12 m).
Calculating the change in PE: PE = 5.0 Kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 12 m = -588 J
Therefore, the change in PE of the cannonball would be approximately -588 J. None of the given options (-600 J, -720 J, -900 J, -1200 J) match this value exactly, but the closest option is A) -600 J.