Question

The decrease of PE for a freely falling object equals its gain in KE, in accord with the conservation of energy. By simple algebra, find an equation for an object's speed v after falling a vertical distance h. Do this by equating KE to its change of PE.

Answer 1

`v = √(20h)`

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy (PE) we are looking here is gravitational potential energy (GPE).

GPE= mgh,

where m is the mass of an object,

g is the gravitational field strength

h is the height of the object

KE= ½mv²,

where m is the mass and v is the velocity

loss in GPE= gain in KE

mgh= ½mv²

gh= ½v² (divide by m throughout)

Assuming that the object is on earth, then g= 10N/Kg

½v²= 10h (substitute g=10)

v²= 20h (×2 on both sides)

v= √20h (square root both sides)