Question

Imagine a piece of clay putty being dropped from a tall building. Neglecting air-resistance, describe the mechanical energy of the system as the putty falls to the ground and also mention where the initial energy comes from. After the putty collides with the ground it flattens and sticks to the ground. What happens to the mechanical energy of the system? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

As the putty is falling it's mechanichal enrgy remains constant.

i.e. kinetic energy + potential energy = constant

this mechanichal energy comes in it, through work done by agent to move it up.

as it falls down its kinetic enrgy will increase but potential energy will dcrease but total mechanichal energy remains same.

as it collides with ground and flatten it's mechanichal energy is converted into other form of energy, such as sound,heat.