To compare the kinetic and/or the potential energies of the fruits, we need to consider the mass and speed of each watermelon.
Since the table does not include the speeds of the fruits, let's assume that both watermelons fall with the same speed.
First, let's define kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE):
Kinetic Energy (KE) is given by the formula KE = 1/2 * mass * speed^2.
Potential Energy (PE) is given by the formula PE = mass * gravity * height, where gravity represents the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2) and height represents the vertical distance the watermelon falls.
Comparing the two formulas, we can see that kinetic energy depends on mass and the square of speed, while potential energy depends on mass and height.
Since the problem states that the masses of the fruits are in the table, we can consider the masses to be the same for both watermelons.
Given that both watermelons fall from the same kitchen counter, we can assume that the height from which they fall is the same. Let's denote the height as "h."
Therefore, the potential energy of both watermelons would be the same since PE = mass * gravity * height, and the only variable is mass.
On the other hand, since both watermelons fall with the same speed, their kinetic energies would also be the same since KE = 1/2 * mass * speed^2, and the only variable is mass.
In conclusion, if both watermelons have the same mass and fall with the same speed from the same height, their kinetic energies and potential energies would be equal.
Two watermelons fall off a kitchen counter. The masses and speeds of the fruits are in the table. How do the kinetic and/or the potential energies of the fruits compare?
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