Conservation of Mechanical Energy Quick Check

Question

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

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 increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
Potential energy would increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
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Answer 1

The correct response is:

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

Explanation: As the swimmer jumps from the diving board into the pool, their height decreases, leading to a decrease in potential energy. However, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of external work or energy losses (like air resistance or water friction). As the swimmer falls, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, but the total remains the same.