alleryStart learning →Just before a falling wrecking ball hits the ground, what is its energy state?
ANear-maximal potential, almost no kinetic
BNear-maximal kinetic, almost no potential
CExactly half kinetic and half potential
DZero kinetic and zero potential energy
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Near-maximal kinetic, almost no potential
1. Once released, the ball's kinetic energy increases because it builds speed due to gravity.
2. At the same time, as it nears the ground it loses potential energy.
3. Just before it hits the ground the ball has nearly lost its potential energy and has near-maximal kinetic energy.
4. The half and half state occurs somewhere mid-fall, not at the end of the drop.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Metabolism", section 6.2 Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy_
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