A book is at rest on a flat table. A person gives the book a shove and it slides across the table. The book eventually comes to rest again near the edge of the table. How does the potential and kinetic energy change during this process?(1 point)

Responses

The potential energy will stay the same as long as the book stays on the table. The kinetic energy increases when the book is shoved and then gradually decreases as it slides across the table and then comes to rest on the edge.
The potential energy will stay the same as long as the book stays on the table. The kinetic energy increases when the book is shoved and then gradually decreases as it slides across the table and then comes to rest on the edge.

The potential stays the same since the book is on the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was only shoved.
The potential stays the same since the book is on the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was only shoved.

The potential and kinetic energy are the same while the book is sitting on the table. They both increase when the book is shoved and then decrease as the book comes to rest again.
The potential and kinetic energy are the same while the book is sitting on the table. They both increase when the book is shoved and then decrease as the book comes to rest again.

The potential energy increases as the book is pushed across the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was shoved.
The potential energy increases as the book is pushed across the table. The kinetic energy stays the same since the book was shoved.

1 answer

The correct response is:

The potential energy will stay the same as long as the book stays on the table. The kinetic energy increases when the book is shoved and then gradually decreases as it slides across the table and then comes to rest on the edge.

Here’s the reasoning:

  • Potential Energy: The potential energy of the book remains constant while it is on the table, assuming the height of the table does not change. Potential energy depends on height, and as long as the book is on the same level (the surface of the table), the potential energy remains unchanged.

  • Kinetic Energy: When the book is shoved, it gains kinetic energy because it starts moving. As it slides across the table, friction between the book and the table will do work against the motion of the book, causing the kinetic energy to decrease until the book comes to a stop again at the edge of the table.

Thus, there is an increase in kinetic energy when the book is shoved, which gradually decreases due to friction as the book slides.