Answer:
2.943 J
Step-by-step explanation:
Data:
acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 m/s²
mass of sand = 0.5 kg
distance = 0.6
Thermal energy = the energy possessed by the falling sand
The force of sand = ma
=
![0.5 * 9.81\\= 4.905 N](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/if6puro1sxfbdxlv6waikvxqb1987vsoti.png)
However, the energy is given as the force multiplied by the distance, so
E =fd
![4.905 * 0.6\\= 2.943 J](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/physics/college/ciaa8tewef7lgotreddwohnoct48ttuya8.png)
Therefore, the thermal energy is 2.943 joules