A 3.00-kg ball has zero potential and kinetic energy.Maria drops the ball into a 10.0-m-deep well.After the ball comes to a stop in the mud,the sum of its potential and kinetic energy is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the ball is dropped into the well, it loses potential energy, which is converted into kinetic energy. Upon coming to a stop in the mud, all the kinetic energy is dissipated, but the ball has gained negative potential energy due to being below the reference point (where it had zero potential energy). The potential energy change is given by $PE = mgh$, where $m = 3.00 \, \text{kg}$, $g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2$, and $h = -10.0 \, \text{m}$ (negative because it's below the reference point). Thus, $PE = 3.00 \times 9.8 \times (-10.0) = -294 \, \text{J}$.

A 300-Kg Ball Has Zero Potential and Kinetic Energy