Questions: As the block slides down the ramp, what happens to its kinetic energy K, potential energy U, and total mechanical energy E? K decreases, U increases E stays the same K decreases, U increases E increases K increases; U increases; E increases increases E decreases E stays the same

As the block slides down the ramp, what happens to its kinetic energy K, potential energy U, and total mechanical energy E?
K decreases, U increases E stays the same
K decreases, U increases E increases
K increases; U increases; E increases
increases E decreases E stays the same

Transcript text: As the block slides down the ramp, what happens to its kinetic energy $K$, potential energy $U$, and total mechanical energy E? $K$ decreases,$U$ increases $E$ stays the same $K$ decreases,$U$ increases $E$ increases $K$ increases; $U$ increases; $E$ increases increases $E$ decreases $E$ stays the same

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Problem

We need to analyze the changes in kinetic energy $ K $, potential energy $ U $, and total mechanical energy $ E $ of a block sliding down a ramp. The options provided describe different scenarios of how these energies change.

Step 2: Analyzing Energy Changes

Kinetic Energy ($ K $): As the block slides down the ramp, it accelerates due to gravity, which means its speed increases. Therefore, the kinetic energy $ K $ increases.
Potential Energy ($ U $): The potential energy is given by $ U = mgh $, where $ h $ is the height. As the block descends, $ h $ decreases, so the potential energy $ U $ decreases.
Total Mechanical Energy ($ E $): In the absence of non-conservative forces like friction, the total mechanical energy $ E = K + U $ remains constant.

Step 3: Matching with Given Options

Based on the analysis:

$ K $ increases
$ U $ decreases
$ E $ stays the same

None of the provided options exactly match this scenario. However, the closest option that aligns with the conservation of energy principle is that the total mechanical energy $ E $ stays the same.