Question

Use the spreadsheet below to answer the question.

A student uses a spreadsheet application to create a computational model of energy changes experienced by an object in free fall.



Which formula could the student have entered into cell E2 of the spreadsheet?

(1 point)
Responses

=$B$2-9.8*C2
=$B$2-9.8*C2

=0.5*$B$3*E2^2
=0.5*$B$3*E2^2

=$B$3*9.8*D2
=$B$3*9.8*D2

=0.5*9.8*C2^2

Answer 1

To determine which formula the student could have entered into cell E2 of the spreadsheet for modeling energy changes in an object in free fall, we need to analyze the context of free fall and the characteristics of the formulas provided.

In free fall, the formulas typically involve gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy changes. The following outline can help assess which formula is appropriate:

1. **Gravitational Potential Energy (PE)** can be represented as:
\[ PE = mgh \]
where:
- \( m \) is mass,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²),
- \( h \) is height.

2. **Kinetic Energy (KE)** can be represented as:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \]
where:
- \( m \) is mass,
- \( v \) is velocity.

Now let's analyze the given formulas:

1. **=$B$2-9.8*C2**: This could correspond to a change in height or a potential energy calculation considering height decreases due to gravity.

2. **=0.5*$B$3*E2^2**: This suggests a kinetic energy calculation where the velocity (E2) is squared. It might be inappropriate in this context since E2 should represent a height or potential energy.

3. **=$B$3*9.8*D2**: This seems to model a product involving mass and gravitational force on some displacement (D2), but it doesn't represent a clear energy relation in the context of free fall.

4. **=0.5*9.8*C2^2**: This formula suggests a kinetic energy equation where the height is used in a way that may not make sense as it combines gravitational acceleration with height squared.

Among these options, the first formula **=$B$2-9.8*C2** is likely capturing the energy change associated with the height falling due to gravity (essentially height reducing over time due to constant acceleration), making it the most logical choice for energy changes in an object in free fall.

Therefore, the correct response should be:

**=$B$2-9.8*C2**