A swimmer jumps from a diving board into a pool. What would a graph of the swimmer's potential energy and total mechanical energy look like?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.

Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase.
Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase.

Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.
Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.

Potential

Answer 1

When a swimmer jumps from a diving board into a pool, the potential energy decreases as they fall, while the total mechanical energy (considering both potential and kinetic energy) remains constant, assuming negligible air resistance and no energy loss to other factors.

Here's what happens:

• Potential Energy (PE): This decreases as the swimmer descends because potential energy is dependent on height. As the swimmer falls towards the water, their height decreases, leading to a decrease in potential energy.

• Kinetic Energy (KE): As the swimmer falls, their speed increases, which means their kinetic energy increases. Kinetic energy is given by the formula KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity. As the swimmer falls, they gain speed, leading to a continuous increase in kinetic energy.

• Total Mechanical Energy (TME): The total mechanical energy is the sum of potential and kinetic energy. It remains constant throughout the fall, as energy is conserved in this ideal scenario. Therefore, the decrease in potential energy is exactly balanced by the increase in kinetic energy.

Therefore, the correct response is:

Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.