Show that for a freely falling body total energy is conserved
Answers
Show that the energy of a freely falling body is conserved.
Energy of a freely falling body is conserved:
Let a ball of mass "m" at height from the ground level starts falling down from rest.
At point A:
We know that,
Since the velocity here is zero.
Therefore kinetic energy=0
Therefore, total energy=mgh+0
=mgh ...(i)
At point B:
It falls through a distance "s" from A to B.
Hence potential energy=mg(h-s)
Now, v²=u²+2gs
or, v²=2gs (u=0)
Total energy=mg(h-s)+mgs
=mgh. ..(ii)
At point C:
v²-u²=2gh
or. v²=2gh. ..(u=0)
and, potential energy=0
Total energy=mgh+0=mgh. ..(iii)
It is clear from expression(i),(ii) and (iii) that the total energy of ball is constant at every point.
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