A rock held above the ground has potential energy.As the rock falls,this potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.Finally,the rock hits the ground and stays there.What has happened to the energy?
A)The energy goes to producing sound and to heating the ground,rock,and surrounding air.
B)The energy goes into the ground,and as a result,the orbit of the Earth about the Sun is slightly changed.
C)The rock keeps the energy inside it in the form of mass-energy.
D)It is transformed back into gravitational potential energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the rock hits the ground, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is then converted into sound and thermal energy. This is due to the impact of the rock on the ground, which causes vibrations and friction, leading to the production of heat and sound. The energy is not transformed back into gravitational potential energy or converted into mass-energy, and the impact of the rock on the ground does not affect the orbit of the Earth about the Sun.

A Rock Held Above the Ground Has Potential Energy