1) A 5-kg object is initially at rest on a table 2 m above the ground. If it is released and falls freely to the ground, what is the object's gravitational potential energy when it is at its highest point, and what is its velocity when it is about to hit the ground? (Assume g≈ 9.8 m/s2) Also, will the total energy of the system decrease or increase (specify your reason for the answer) if we don't ignore all the non-conservative forces? Solution:
1) A 5-kg object is initially at rest on a table 2 m above the ground. If it is released and falls freely to the ground, what is the object's gravitational potential energy when it is at its highest point, and what is its velocity when it is about to hit the ground? (Assume g≈ 9.8 m/s2) Also, will the total energy of the system decrease or increase (specify your reason for the answer) if we don't ignore all the non-conservative forces? Solution:
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
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Description
1) A 5-kg object is initially at rest on a table 2 m above the ground. If it is released and falls freely to the ground, what is the object's gravitational potential energy when it is at its highest point, and what is its **velocity** when it is about to hit the ground? (Assume \( g \approx 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)) Also, will the total energy of the system decrease or increase (specify your reason for the answer) if we don’t ignore all the non-conservative forces?
**Solution:**
To solve the problem, consider the following steps:
1. **Gravitational Potential Energy at the Highest Point:**
- Formula: \( PE = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is gravity, and \( h \) is height.
- Given: \( m = 5 \, \text{kg}, \, g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2, \, h = 2 \, \text{m} \).
- Calculate: \( PE = 5 \times 9.8 \times 2 = 98 \, \text{Joules} \).
2. **Velocity Just Before Impact:**
- Apply conservation of energy: Initial Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy just before impact.
- Formula: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \).
- Equating: \( mgh = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \).
- Solve for \( v \): \( v = \sqrt{2gh} \).
- Given \( g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) and \( h = 2 \, \text{m} \), calculate \( v = \sqrt{2 \times 9.8 \times 2} \approx 6.26 \, \text{m/s} \).
3. **Effect of Non-Conservative Forces:**
- If non-conservative forces (like air resistance) are considered, they do work on the object, converting mechanical energy into other forms (e.g., thermal).
- Thus, the total mechanical energy of the system will decrease. If ignored, energy would technically appear to remain constant in an ideal system
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