A particle of mass M is released from a certain height H with zero ini...
Explanation
When the particle is released from a certain height H with zero initial velocity, it will start falling due to the gravitational force acting on it. As it falls, its potential energy will decrease and its kinetic energy will increase.
Initial Stage: Falling Down
Initially, as the particle falls down, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The potential energy decreases linearly with time as the particle descends. At the same time, the kinetic energy increases linearly with time.
Collision with the Ground
When the particle strikes the ground elastically, it means that no energy is lost during the collision. The direction of the particle's velocity is reversed, but the magnitude of the velocity remains the same. Therefore, the kinetic energy after the collision is the same as before the collision.
Returning to Initial Position
After the collision, the particle starts moving upwards. Its kinetic energy decreases as it moves against the gravitational force. At the same time, its potential energy increases as it gains height. Eventually, the particle reaches its maximum height and starts falling down again.
Graph of Kinetic Energy vs. Time
The graph of the particle's kinetic energy vs. time will have the following characteristics:
- Initially, the kinetic energy is zero because the particle is at rest.
- As the particle falls down, the kinetic energy increases linearly with time.
- At the moment of collision with the ground, the kinetic energy is at its maximum value.
- After the collision, the kinetic energy decreases linearly with time as the particle moves upwards.
- At the maximum height, the kinetic energy is zero because the particle momentarily comes to rest.
- As the particle starts falling down again, the kinetic energy increases linearly with time.
The graph will have a V-shaped curve, with the maximum kinetic energy occurring at the moment of collision with the ground.