Final answer:
The student's question pertains to the physics concepts like gravitational potential energy, velocity, acceleration, kinematic equations, and the conservation of energy, specifically as they apply to an object freely falling under the influence of Earth's gravity. These principles are used to determine the energy and motion characteristics of an object like a rock being dropped from a cliff.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question from the student involves concepts related to the physics of motion, specifically gravitational potential energy, velocity, acceleration, kinematic equations, and conservation of energy. These concepts are essential when analyzing the motion of an object falling under gravity, as in the case of a rock being dropped from a cliff.
Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. GPE can be calculated using the formula GPE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s² on Earth), and h is the height above the reference point.
Conservation of Energy
According to the conservation of energy principle, the total mechanical energy (kinetic energy + gravitational potential energy) of an object in a closed system remains constant, provided no external forces do work on the system. As the rock falls, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, represented by an increase in velocity.
Kinematic Equations
Kinematic equations describe the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. They are used to calculate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time, especially for objects under uniform acceleration, such as gravity. For a stone dropped from a height, we can use the principle of conservation of energy or kinematic equations to determine the velocity with which the stone strikes the ground. For example, an object of mass 25 g dropped from a height of 6 m can have its impact velocity determined without the influence of air resistance.