Question

read the text about an object in motion.
ellie was about to play the first hole on a mini golf course. she placed her golf ball on the mat in front of her and aimed carefully with her golf club. then, ellie gently tapped the ball straight toward the hole. the ball rolled slowly along the flat mat before falling to the bottom of the hole.
when was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the golf ball and earth?
assume that the golf balls mass did not change.
when the ball was farthest from the hole
when the ball was rolling slowly on the mat
when the ball was at the bottom of the hole

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is calculated as \( U = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is acceleration due to gravity, and \( h \) is height. When the ball is at the bottom of the hole, its height \( h = 0 \). Substituting into the formula \( U = mgh \), we get \( U=mg\times0 = 0 \). So the gravitational potential energy is the least at this point.

Answer:

When the ball was at the bottom of the hole.