Question

An airplane carries 320 passengers from Phoenix to Los Angeles flying at an average speed of 490 miles per hour. On the return flight, the plane carries 164 passengers and travels at the same average speed. What happens to the plane’s kinetic energy?(1 point)
Responses

The plane’s kinetic energy is the same on both flights.
The plane’s kinetic energy is the same on both flights.

On the return flight, the plane has more kinetic energy.
On the return flight, the plane has more kinetic energy.

On the return flight, the plane has less kinetic energy.
On the return flight, the plane has less kinetic energy.

The plane’s kinetic energy is changed to potential energy when it lands.
The plane’s kinetic energy is changed to potential energy when it lands.

Answer 1

On the return flight, the plane has less kinetic energy.

Reason: Kinetic energy = 1/2 m v^2. The speed v is the same, but the mass m is smaller with 164 passengers vs. 320, so KE is smaller.