A book is at rest on a flat table. A person gives the book a shove and it slides across the table. The book eventually comes to rest again near the edge of the table. How does the potential and kinetic energy change during this process?

Question

options:

A). The potential stays the same since the book is on the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was only shoved.

B). The potential energy increases as the book is pushed across the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was shoved.

C). The potential energy will stay the same as long as the book stays on the table. The kinetic energy increases when the book is shoved and then gradually decreases as it slides across the table and then comes to rest on the edge.

D). The potential and kinetic energy are the same while the book is sitting on the table. They both increase when the book is shoved and then decrease as the book comes to rest again.

Answer 1

The correct option is:

C). The potential energy will stay the same as long as the book stays on the table. The kinetic energy increases when the book is shoved and then gradually decreases as it slides across the table and then comes to rest on the edge.

Here's the reasoning:

• The potential energy of the book remains constant while it is resting on the table, assuming that its height relative to a reference point does not change.
• When the person gives the book a shove, its kinetic energy increases as the book gains speed due to the applied force.
• As the book slides across the table, friction between the book and the table does work on the book, causing the kinetic energy to decrease until it eventually comes to rest.
• Therefore, potential energy stays constant and kinetic energy increases with the shove and then decreases as friction brings the book to a stop.