A 0.26-kg stone is held 1.2 m above the top edge of a water well and then dropped into it. The well has a depth of 4.5 m. (a) Relative to the configuration with the stone at the top edge of the well, what is the gravitational potential energy of the stone−Earth system before the stone is released?

Complete Question

The

a

b

c

Explanation:

From the question we are told that  

    The mass of the stone is  

    The height above the top of the water is  

     The depth of the well is  

The gravitational potential of the stone before it was released is  

substituting values

The gravitation potential of the stone when it reaches the bottom of the well is

The negative shows that the potential energy of the stone as compared to the earth is  reducing

    substituting values

The change in the systems gravitational potential is

substituting values

chemical energy --> gravitational potential energy --> kinetic energy --> elastic potential energy --> gravitational potential energy

explanation:

when emma starts the hike, the chemical energy stored in her body is used to climb up the mountain, and so she gains gravitational potential energy (because at the end, she will be at a higher height h above the ground). then she goes bungee jumping: as she falls, this gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy (because her speed increases as she falls down), until the point when the rope stretches, and she stops moving. at that moment, all the kinetic energy is converted into elastic potential energy due to the stretching of the rope. then, this energy is released because the rope returns to its natural length, and emma gains a small increase in altitude , so she gains some gravitational potential energy.