A60.0-kg ball of clay is tossed vertically in the air with an initial speed of 4.60 m/s. ignoring air resistance, what is the change in its potential energy when it reaches its highest point?

the change in potential energy when it reaches the highest height = 634.8 J

Explanation:

Potential Energy: This is the energy a body posses due to position.

From the law of conservation of energy,

At the highest point and lowest points, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy

I.e

Ek = Ek

Where Ek = potential energy, Ep = potential energy

Ep₁ = 1/2mu²  (potential energy at the lowest point) Equation 1

Ep₂ = 1/2mv² (potential energy at the highest point) Equation 2

ΔEp = Ep₂ - Ep₁ = 1/2mu² - 1/2mv² Equation 3

Where ΔEp = change in potential energy, m = mass of the ball of clay, v = final velocity of the ball of clay, u = initial velocity of the ball of clay

Given: m= 60 kg, u = 4.6 m/s v = 0 ( velocity at the maximum height)

Substituting these values into equation 3

ΔEp = 1/2×60×4.6 - 1/2×60×0²

ΔEp = 30×21.16 - 0

ΔEp = 634.8 J.

Therefore the change in potential energy when it reaches the highest height = 634.8 J

air exerts forces on falling objects near earth’s surface.

explanation:

the term 'free falls' refer to object that are falling towards the earth, in a situation in which gravity is the only force acting on the object.

for an object in free fall, the acceleration is constant (g, the gravitational acceleration), and so the velocity of the object constantly increases.

for objects near earth's surface, there is always another force acting on the object: the resistance due to the air. this force is opposed to the direction of fall of the object, and it is proportional to the velocity of the object, so as the object falls down, this force increases up to a point when it balances the force of gravity, and the object continues its motion at constant velocity (called terminal velocity). since in this case gravity is not the only force acting on the object, we are not in a situation of free fall.

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