What happens to the PE if the stone falls to the ground

Step 1: Gravitational potential energy (PE) is defined as PE = m g h where m is mass in kg, g ≈ 9.8 m/s² is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height above the ground in m. Units of PE are joules (J). Step 2: Before falling, assume the stone is at height h above ground. Initial PE: PE_i = m g h (J); Step 3: When the stone falls to the ground, h = 0 m. Final PE: PE_f = m g × 0 = 0 J Step 4: Change in PE: Δ PE = PE_f − PE_i = 0 − m g h = −m g h J The PE decreases to 0 J (taking ground level as the zero reference point). The PE becomes 0 J

What happens to the PE if the stone falls to the ground

Step 1: Gravitational potential energy (PE) is defined as PE = m g h where m is mass in kg, g ≈ 9.8 m/s² is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height above the ground in m. Units of PE are joules (J). Step 2: Before falling, assume the stone is at height h above ground. Initial PE: PE_i = m g h (J); Step 3: When the stone falls to the ground, h = 0 m. Final PE: PE_f = m g × 0 = 0 J Step 4: Change in PE: Δ PE = PE_f − PE_i = 0 − m g h = −m g h J The PE decreases to 0 J (taking ground level as the zero reference point). The PE becomes 0 J

Solved: What happens to the PE if the stone falls to the…

Gravitational potential energy (PE) is defined as
$PE = m g h$
where $m$ is mass in kg, $g \approx 9.8$ m/s² is acceleration due to gravity, and $h$ is height above the ground in m. Units of PE are joules (J).
Before falling, assume the stone is at height $h$ above ground.
Initial PE:
$PE_i = m g h \quad \text{(J)}$
When the stone falls to the ground, $h = 0$ m.
Final PE:
$PE_f = m g \times 0 = 0 \quad \text{J}$
Change in PE
$\Delta PE = PE_f - PE_i = 0 - m g h = -m g h \quad \text{J}$
The PE decreases to 0 J (taking ground level as the zero reference point).
The PE becomes 0 J

What happens to the PE if the stone falls to the ground

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Gravitational potential energy (PE) is defined as

Before falling, assume the stone is at height $h$ above ground.

When the stone falls to the ground, $h = 0$ m.

Change in PE

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What happens to the PE if the stone falls to the ground

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Gravitational potential energy (PE) is defined as

Before falling, assume the stone is at height hhh above ground.

When the stone falls to the ground, h=0h = 0h=0 m.

Change in PE

Try one yourself

Still stuck on this one?

More Physics Questions

Before falling, assume the stone is at height $h$ above ground.

When the stone falls to the ground, $h = 0$ m.