In the diagram below, two identical objects are released from rest at the starting position. Object 1 was released first and sometime later Object 2 was released. The diagram below shows the positions of Objects 1 and 2 a short time after both were released.

Question

Which object in the figure has the most kinetic energy at the point shown?

A.Both objects have the same amount of kinetic energy.

B.Object 1

C.Object 2

D.Neither object has any kinetic energy.

Answer 1

To determine which object has the most kinetic energy, we need to consider their states of motion and their respective positions.

Since Object 1 was released first, it has been falling for a longer duration than Object 2. Kinetic energy (KE) is given by the formula:

\[ KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \]

where \( m \) is the mass and \( v \) is the velocity of the object. Both objects are identical, meaning they have the same mass. Thus, the kinetic energy will depend on the square of their respective velocities.

Since Object 1 has been falling longer, it will have acquired more speed compared to Object 2, which has just been released and is still at rest. Therefore, Object 1 will have more kinetic energy because it has a higher velocity.

Thus, the correct answer is B. Object 1.