why is the kinetic energy of the lumber higher on the truck during the delivery than when it drops from the carpenter's shoulder?

1 answer

The kinetic energy of the lumber is higher on the truck during the delivery than when it drops from the carpenter's shoulder because the lumber is moving at a faster speed in the first scenario. Kinetic energy is determined by the mass and velocity of an object, and it is given by the formula KE = 0.5 * m * v^2, where KE is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the velocity.

When the lumber is on a moving truck, its speed or velocity is significantly higher than when it is falling from the carpenter's shoulder. Due to the higher velocity on the moving truck, the lumber has a higher kinetic energy. When the lumber falls from the carpenter's shoulder, it is primarily subjected to gravity, and its velocity is limited by the height from which it falls, resulting in a lower kinetic energy.