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."
Explanation:
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Potential Energy (PE): The potential energy of the book remains constant while it is on the flat table because its height above the ground does not change. It is not gaining or losing height, so there's no change in gravitational potential energy.
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Kinetic Energy (KE): When the person shoves the book, it begins to slide, and its kinetic energy increases due to the applied force. As it slides across the table, friction will gradually slow it down, causing its kinetic energy to decrease until it comes to rest again.
Thus, during the entire process, the potential energy remains constant while the kinetic energy increases and then decreases.