- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
A 25 kg steel ball at 300 °C is held 100 m above the ground. The ball is then released and begins falling. The ball cools as it falls, and the ball continues to accelerate as it falls. Air friction is negligible. The total energy of the ball is greatest:
a. The instant it is released
b. Midway through its fall
c. Just before it hits the ground
d. After it strikes the ground
e. The energy remains constant
The answer is (a)
I found this question online when I was trying to make sure that I had all the concepts from Gas Laws and Thermodynamics down but can't figure this one out. I assumed the answer would be (c) because as the ball falls the velocity increases at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2 with it being highest right before it hits the ground and KE=.5mv^2. A little explanation by anyone would be great.
a. The instant it is released
b. Midway through its fall
c. Just before it hits the ground
d. After it strikes the ground
e. The energy remains constant
The answer is (a)
I found this question online when I was trying to make sure that I had all the concepts from Gas Laws and Thermodynamics down but can't figure this one out. I assumed the answer would be (c) because as the ball falls the velocity increases at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2 with it being highest right before it hits the ground and KE=.5mv^2. A little explanation by anyone would be great.