Question

What is true of the aircraft in the picture? Select all that apply.

The mechanical energy of the plane = kinetic energy of the plane + potential energy of the plane.
It does not have any potential energy because it is moving.
It does not have any kinetic energy because gravity is pulling on it giving it potential energy.
It has potential energy because it is above the earth.
It has kinetic energy because it is moving.

Answer 1

True:
- The mechanical energy of the plane = kinetic energy of the plane + potential energy of the plane.
- It has potential energy because it is above the Earth.
- It has kinetic energy because it is moving.

False:
- "It does not have any potential energy because it is moving." — being in motion does not remove gravitational potential energy; PE depends on height above the chosen reference.
- "It does not have any kinetic energy because gravity is pulling on it giving it potential energy." — gravity giving PE is unrelated to whether the plane has KE; a moving plane has kinetic energy.