In the diagram below, two identical objects are released from rest at the starting position. Object 1 was released first and sometime later Object 2 was released. The diagram below shows the positions of Objects 1 and 2 a short time after both were released.

Question

Which object in the figure has the most kinetic energy?

a
Neither object has any kinetic energy.
b
Object 2
c
Object 1
d
Both objects have the same amount of kinetic energy.

Answer 1

To determine which object has the most kinetic energy, it's important to analyze the positions of the objects and the time they were released.

Kinetic energy (KE) is given by the formula:

\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \]

where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( v \) is its velocity.

1. Since both objects are identical, their masses are the same.
2. The velocity of each object at a given moment affects its kinetic energy.
3. Object 1 was released earlier than Object 2, which means it has had more time to accelerate from rest. Therefore, it is likely moving faster than Object 2 at that moment.

Since Object 1 has had more time to gain speed due to gravitational acceleration (assuming they are falling under gravity), it will have a higher velocity compared to Object 2.

Given this explanation, the answer is:

c. Object 1 – it has the most kinetic energy because it has been falling longer and has a higher velocity than Object 2.