Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 5 - Thermochemistry - Exercises - Page 202: 5.1a

Answer

Kinetic Energy will increase Potential Energy will decrease

Work Step by Step

Potential Energy is mgh where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height above the ground. As the book falls, it keeps the same mass and the same g but the height above the ground decreases so the potential energy will decrease. Kinetic Energy is $1/2mv^2$ where m is the mass of the object and v is the velocity. As the book continues to fall, it will accelerate at 9.81 $m/s^2$ due to gravity so its velocity will increase and the Kinetic Energy will increase.
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