To determine which object will have the greatest kinetic energy when dropped from a height, we can consider the principle of conservation of energy. When an object is dropped, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as it falls. The potential energy (PE) at the height \( h \) is given by the formula:
\[ PE = mgh \]
where \( m \) is the mass of the object, \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 , m/s^2 \)), and \( h \) is the height.
- At the moment just before impact, all the potential energy will be converted into kinetic energy (KE), which is given by:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \]
At the point of impact, the kinetic energy will be highest. However, since all objects are dropped from the same height, the object with the greatest mass will have the greatest potential energy and thus will convert that to the greatest kinetic energy.
Let's consider the typical masses of the objects:
- Baseball: Heavier than the other objects listed.
- Penny: Light but heavier than a table tennis ball.
- Small rock: Mass can vary, but typically heavier than a penny.
- Table tennis ball: The lightest among the listed objects.
Given this context, the baseball and small rock being potentially heavier will have more kinetic energy upon impact.
If we assume that the small rock is not significantly heavier than the baseball, then the baseball is likely to have the greatest kinetic energy upon impact with the water.
Therefore, the object that will have the greatest kinetic energy is most likely:
A. baseball
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