Question Detail
Question
A basketball of mass 600 g resting on a hoop 3.05 m above the ground falls. What is its maximum kinetic energy as it falls? (Ignore air resistance)
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
The maximum kinetic energy just before impact equals the initial potential energy: KE_max = PE_initial = mgh = 0.6 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 3.05 m = 5.88 × 3.05 = 17.934 J ≈ 17.9 J.
Hint
In the absence of air resistance, the loss in potential energy equals the gain in kinetic energy.