Answer:
ΔP.E = - 588 J
Explanation:
The complete question is as follows:
It is said that Galileo dropped objects off the Leaning Tower of Pisa to determine whether heavy or light objects fall faster. If Galileo had dropped a 5.0-kg cannon ball to the ground from a height of 12 m, what would have been the change in PE of the cannon ball?
Answer: So, in order to calculate the change in Potential Energy of the cannon ball, we will use the general formula of Potential Energy as follows:
ΔP.E = mgΔh
where,
ΔP.E = Change in Potential Energy = ?
m = mass of cannon ball = 5 kg
g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²
Δh = Change in Height of Cannon Ball = Final Height - Initial Height
Δh = 0 m - 12 m = - 12 m
Therefore,
ΔP.E = (5 kg)(9.8 m/s²)(- 12 m)
ΔP.E = - 588 J
Negative sign shows decrease in Potential Energy
