Question

In Example 10.1 (p. 234), if the pebble was instead launched at a 45 degree angle above the horizontal, how would the total mechanical energy of the system change compared to when the pebble was launched directly upwards?

Answer 1

Answer:

The total mechanical energy of the system would stay the same

Explanation:

The law of conservation energy states:

In a closed system, (a system that isolated from its surroundings) the total energy of the system is conserved.

For instance, the air resistance is negligible. So non conservative force is acting on the system and so the energy is conserved for the system.

The total initial energy must be equal to the total final energy , if the energy is conserved.

Therefore, when the pebbles was launched at 45 degrees to the horizontal the total mechanical energy stay the same.