A block of material of mass m and specific heat c falls from height h and reaches speed v just before striking the ground. Its temperature is measured immediately after it strikes the ground. If we ignore any change in temperature owing to interaction with the air, the change in temperature of the block of material is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The change in temperature of the block can be found using the formula:

ΔT = (mv^2)/(mc)

where m is the mass of the block, v is the velocity just before striking the ground, and c is the specific heat of the material.

Since there is no mention of any change in temperature due to interaction with air, we can assume that all the potential energy of the block is converted to kinetic energy before it strikes the ground. Thus, we have:

mgh = (1/2)mv^2

Simplifying, we get:

v^2 = 2gh

Substituting this into the formula for ΔT, we get:

ΔT = (2ghc)/c = 2gh

Therefore, the change in temperature of the block only depends on the height from which it falls and is independent of its mass or specific heat. Thus, both options A and B are correct, making the correct answer E (Only (a) and (b) above are correct).

A Block of Material of Mass M and Specific Heat