Question

o illustrate the work-energy concept, consider the case of a stone falling from xi to xf under the influence of gravity. Using the work-energy concept, we say that work is done by the gravitational _____, resulting in an increase of the ______ energy of the stone.

Answer 1

Answer: force of gravity on the body due to height difference above the earth's surface

Explanation: as you increase the height of a body above ground, you do work against gravity in moving it from a point on the earth's surface to that point. So a body falling has a stored up gravito-potential energy which acts on it downward due to its mass, accelerating it downwards

Answer b): kinetic energy of the body

Explanation: the downward force produces an acceleration of magnitude 9.81m/s2 downwards which means an increasing velocity. This increasing velocity means the kinetic energy of the body is increasing (kinetic energy is proportional to velocity of the body squared)