Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 7 - Think and Explain - Page 129-130: 67

Answer

A pole vaulter tries to convert her KE to gravitational PE. With a stiff wooden pole, once she plants the pole, her feet leave the ground and KE begins to transform. On the other hand, with a flexible pole, she can plant the end and keep running, storing elastic PE in the bent pole. This PE, plus her KE, is transformed to gravitational PE as she rises, and she can reach a greater height.
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