Question

100 POINT!! please help!!

A student has programmed a computer to simulate the changing gravitational potential energy
(PE) and kinetic energy (KE) of a 1.0-kg rock as it falls from a height of 8.0 meters. The table shows some of the data generated by the simulation.

A scientist obtains accurate energy measurements for. an actual falling rock of mass 1.0 kg from a height of 8.0 meters. How would the actual measurements compare to the data from the simulation, and for what reason?

A- Actual measurements for KE would be less, due to the transformation of mechanical energy to thermal energy.
B- Actual measurements for KE would be greater, due to the transformation of mechanical energy to thermal energy.
C- Actual measurements for PE would be less, due to the rock's changing distance to the center of Earth.
D- Actual measurements would be identical, due to the law of conservation of energy.

Answer 1

Answer:

It's A. The first one.

Explanation:

Just did it :)

Answer 2

Answer:

Actual measurements for KE would be less, due to the transformation of mechanical energy to thermal energy.

Explanation:

If we neglect air resistance, then the potential energy (PE) of a falling object is converted to kinetic energy (KE) only, and the mechanical energy (PE + KE) is constant. However, for an actual falling object, there is air resistance, which causes some of the energy to convert to thermal energy. As a result, the kinetic energy will be less.