Question

two identical airplanes are flying at an air show. both planes are at the same height above the ground. plane a has a speed of 885 km/h. plane b has a speed of 700 km/h. which statement best describes the energy of the two planes?

plane a has a greater gravitational potential energy than plane b.

the two airplanes have the same gravitational potential energy but different kinetic energies.

plane b has greater kinetic energy than plane a.

the two airplanes have the same kinetic energy but different gravitational potential energy.

Explanation:

1. Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE): The formula for GPE is \( GPE = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is acceleration due to gravity, and \( h \) is height. The planes are identical (same mass) and at the same height, so their GPE is equal.
2. Kinetic Energy (KE): The formula for KE is \( KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2} \), where \( m \) is mass and \( v \) is speed. Since the planes are identical (same mass) but have different speeds (Plane A: 685 km/h, Plane B: 760 km/h), their KE will differ (higher speed means higher KE).

Answer:

The two air planes have the same gravitational potential energy but different kinetic energies.