A 0.33-kg stone is held 1.4 m above the top edge of a water well and then droppe
ID: 2055948 • Letter: A
Question
A 0.33-kg stone is held 1.4 m above the top edge of a water
well and then dropped into it. The well has a depth of 5.3 m.
(a) Relative to the configuration
with the stone at the top edge of the well, what is the gravitational potential
energy of the stoneEarth system before the stone is released.
-----------J
(b) Relative to the configuration
with the stone at the top edge of the well, what is the gravitational potential
energy of the stoneEarth when it reaches the bottom of the well?
-----------J
Explanation / Answer
a) If we assume that the bottom of the well is y=0 then we use Ep=(m)(g)(h)
h=(1.4m)+(5.3m)=6.7m
Ep=(.33)(9.8)(6.7)=21.6678J using 2 significant figures: Ep=22J
b) Since there is no height, h=0, there is also no gravitational potential energy, it will only have kinetic energy when it hits the bottom of the well.
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