Question

read the text about an object in motion.
a maple tree seed hung from a branch of a tall maple tree. a strong breeze blew
the seed off the branch. the seed drifted down toward the ground and landed in
a patch of dirt. the seed sat in the dirt for a week before starting to germinate.
when was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the seed and earth?
assume that the seeds mass did not change.
when the seed was attached to the tall branch
when the seed was blown off the branch by the wind
when the seed was about to germinate in the dirt

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational potential energy formula

The gravitational potential energy \(U = mgh\), where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity (\(g=\text{constant}\)), and \(h\) is height.

Step2: Analyze each situation

• When the seed was attached to the tall branch: It has a relatively high height \(h\), so \(U = mgh\) is relatively large.
• When the seed was blown off the branch by the wind: During its fall, its height \(h\) is decreasing, so \(U = mgh\) is decreasing.
• When the seed sat in the dirt for a week before starting to germinate: Its height \(h\) is close to \(0\) (assuming the ground level as a reference), so \(U = mgh\approx0\) (the smallest value among the three situations).

Answer:

When the seed sat in the dirt for a week before starting to germinate.