A rock weighing 98 newtons is pushed off the edge of a bridge 50 meters the above ground. What was the kinetic energy of the rock before it began to fall?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 8, 2017

Surely it was nil?

Explanation:

The rock had potential energy before the fall, i.e. #"potential energy"# #=# #mgh#, but given that its velocity was zero, it had zero kinetic energy, #=1/2mv^2#.

Its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy upon its descent.

Related questions
Impact of this question
2501 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License