Question

A 1 kg coconut falls vertically from a height of 10 meters. Use the principle of conservation of mechanical

energy to calculate the energy of the coconut (1) in the tree before it falls, and (2) its speed when it hits the
ground. (Assume acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s. Hint: Mechanical energy is the sum of the potential and
kinetic energies in a system.)

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Question 1:

Mass=1kg

Acceleration due to gravity=9.8m/s^2

Height=10m

on the before falling it has potential energy

Potential energy=mass x acceleration due to gravity x height

Potential energy=1 x 9.8 x 10

Potential energy=98 joules

Question 2:

Potential energy=kinetic energy base base on energy transformation

Kinetic energy=(mass x (velocity)^2)➗2

98=(1 x(velocity))^2 ➗ 2

Cross multiplying

98 x 2=(velocity)^2

196=(velocity)^2

Velocity=√(196)

Velocity=14

Velocity=14m/s