When Lesli increases the height from which the ball is dropped to 2.0 meters, the potential energy (PE) of the ball at that height will increase. This is because gravitational potential energy is calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{PE} = mgh \]
where:
- \( m \) is the mass of the ball,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 \)),
- \( h \) is the height above the ground.
Since increasing the height \( h \) directly increases the potential energy of the ball, it will have more energy at 2.0 meters compared to a lower height.
As the ball is dropped, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy (KE) as it falls, leading to an increase in its speed just before impact with the floor. Therefore, the statement that correctly describes the effect of increasing the height to 2.0 meters would be:
"The ball will have greater potential energy at 2.0 meters, which will convert to greater kinetic energy just before it hits the ground."
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