Question
Mrs. Roberts is holding a stack of books in her arms.
If she suddenly dropped the books, this would increase their
energy. If she instead decided to hold the books over her head, this would increase their
energy.
If she suddenly dropped the books, this would increase their
energy. If she instead decided to hold the books over her head, this would increase their
energy.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In both scenarios, the gravitational potential energy of the books is being discussed.
1. **Dropping the books**: When Mrs. Roberts drops the books, they fall under the influence of gravity, increasing their kinetic energy as they accelerate downward. As the books fall, their gravitational potential energy (which is given by the formula \(PE = mgh\), where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is the height) decreases while their kinetic energy increases until they reach the ground.
2. **Holding the books over her head**: When she holds the books above her head, she is increasing their gravitational potential energy because they are at a greater height \(h\). The potential energy increases as the height increases, calculated using the same formula \(PE = mgh\).
In summary, dropping the books increases their kinetic energy, while holding the books over her head increases their gravitational potential energy.
1. **Dropping the books**: When Mrs. Roberts drops the books, they fall under the influence of gravity, increasing their kinetic energy as they accelerate downward. As the books fall, their gravitational potential energy (which is given by the formula \(PE = mgh\), where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is the height) decreases while their kinetic energy increases until they reach the ground.
2. **Holding the books over her head**: When she holds the books above her head, she is increasing their gravitational potential energy because they are at a greater height \(h\). The potential energy increases as the height increases, calculated using the same formula \(PE = mgh\).
In summary, dropping the books increases their kinetic energy, while holding the books over her head increases their gravitational potential energy.