Explanation:
a) Potential energy is weight times height.
PE = mgh
PE = (10.0 kg) (9.8 m/s²) (20.0 m)
PE = 1960 J
b) Energy is conserved. Â As the block falls, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Â Just before the block lands, all of the potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy.
KE = 1960 J
c) When the block has fallen half the distance, half the potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy.
KE = 1960 J / 2
KE = 980. J
d) Kinetic energy equals half the mass times the square of the velocity.
KE = ½ mv²
980. J = ½ (10.0 kg) v²
v = 14.0 m/s