Question

two identical planes are flying in an airshow. they are flying at the same speed, but airplane x is 50 m higher than airplane
which statement is true about the airplanes?
plane x has more kinetic energy than z.
plane z has more gravitational energy than x.
they have the same amount of gravitational energy.
they have the same kinetic energy, but x has more gravitational energy.

Explanation:

• Kinetic energy (\(KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\)) depends on mass (\(m\)) and speed (\(v\)). Since the planes are identical (\(m\) is the same) and flying at the same speed (\(v\) is the same), their kinetic energies are equal.
• Gravitational potential energy (\(PE = mgh\)) depends on mass (\(m\)), acceleration due to gravity (\(g\)), and height (\(h\)). Since \(m\) and \(g\) are the same (identical planes, same location on Earth), and plane \(X\) has a greater height (\(h\)), plane \(X\) has more gravitational potential energy.

Answer:

They have the same kinetic energy, but \(X\) has more gravitational energy.