In the diagram below, two objects of the same size and mass are released from rest at the starting position. Object 1 was released before 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 least amount of kinetic energy?

(1 point)
Responses

Object 1
Object 1

Object 2
Object 2

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

Neither object has any kinetic energy.

Answer 1

To determine which object has the least amount of kinetic energy, we can consider the fact that kinetic energy depends on both the mass of the object and its velocity. The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is given by:

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

where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( v \) is its velocity.

Since both objects have the same mass, their kinetic energy depends solely on their velocities.

If Object 1 was released before Object 2, it has likely been falling for a longer time and would have gained more speed (and therefore, higher velocity) compared to Object 2, which has just been released.

If both objects are in free fall, Object 1 will have a greater velocity due to having been falling for a longer duration, whereas Object 2 will have just started moving and will have a significantly lower velocity.

So, the object with the least amount of kinetic energy will be:

Object 2.