Question

ball a was carried to the top of a hill in a straight line, while ball b was carried in a longer, zigzag path. at the top of the hill, both balls were left at rest. a student draws a graph that depicts each balls final potential energy. which statement describes the final potential energy of the balls? (1 point) both balls have equal potential energy. ball a has more potential energy. neither ball has any potential energy. ball b has more potential energy.

Explanation:

The formula for gravitational potential energy is \(U = mgh\), where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is height. Both balls are at the same height (\(h\)) at the top of the hill. Assuming the balls have the same mass (\(m\)) (since no information about different masses is given), and \(g\) is constant near the Earth's surface. So, \(U\) depends only on \(h\) (when \(m\) and \(g\) are same).

Answer:

Both balls have equal potential energy.