In a computational model of energy changes experienced by an object in free fall that neglects air resistance, how do energy values relate?(1 point)

Responses

The total initial energy and the total final energy are equal.
The total initial energy and the total final energy are equal.

The total initial energy is greater than the total final energy.
The total initial energy is greater than the total final energy.

The sum of the kinetic energy and the potential energy constantly increases.
The sum of the kinetic energy and the potential energy constantly increases.

The sum of the kinetic energy and the potential

1 answer

In a computational model of energy changes experienced by an object in free fall that neglects air resistance, the correct relationship between energy values is:

The total initial energy and the total final energy are equal.

This is because in the absence of air resistance (or any other dissipative forces), the mechanical energy of the system is conserved. The potential energy decreases as the object falls, while the kinetic energy increases, but the total energy (kinetic + potential) remains constant throughout the fall.