Conservation of Mechanical Energy Quick Check

Question

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Question
A swimmer jumps from a diving board into a pool. What would a graph of the swimmer's potential energy and total mechanical energy look like?(1 point)
Responses

Potential energy would increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
Potential energy would increase, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.

Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.
Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.

Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase.
Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would increase.

Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.
Potential energy would remain constant, while total mechanical energy would decrease.
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Answer 1

In the scenario of a swimmer jumping from a diving board into a pool, the swimmer's potential energy decreases as they descend, while the total mechanical energy (which includes both potential energy and kinetic energy) remains constant, assuming there is no significant air resistance and neglecting any dissipative forces.

Thus, the correct response would be:

Potential energy would decrease, while total mechanical energy would remain constant.