Answer to Question #328976 in Physics for Rae

Question

8. Consider an object falling from a height of 300 m. If we ignore air resistance, its total energy:

(a) increases during the fall.

(b) decreases during the fall.

(c) remains constant during the fall.

(d) is zero at the start of the fall.

Answer 1

If we ignore the air resistance, the only force that acts on the object is the gravitational force. Since the gravitational force is conservative (path-independent work), the total mechanical energy conserves.

Answer. (c) remains constant during the fall.