When an object's potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, it means that the stored energy due to its position or condition is released as the energy of motion. For each scenario you've described where potential energy is changed to kinetic energy, here's what happens:
1. A ball sits on top of a hill:
When the ball on top of the hill starts to roll down, its potential energy, due to its elevated position in the Earth's gravitational field, converts into kinetic energy. As the ball descends the slope, the gravitational force pulls it down, and it accelerates. The potential energy decreases while the kinetic energy increases proportionally (neglecting air resistance and friction), provided energy is conserved. The ball's speed will be greatest just before it reaches the bottom of the hill, where its potential energy is at its lowest and kinetic energy is at its highest. If the ball then rolls onto a flat surface at the base of the hill, this kinetic energy will gradually be converted back into potential energy if it starts climbing another hill, or it will be dissipated through friction as it rolls along the flat surface until it eventually comes to a stop.
Everything below has potential energy. Tell us happens when the potential energy of each object is changed to kinetic energy.
1. A ball sits on top of a hill.
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