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Nov15-12, 12:06 AM   #1
 

Joule's Apparatus and Kinetic Energy


In my textbook, Joule's apparatus (two blocks falling from height h turn a paddle that stirs and increases the internal energy of water) is claimed to convert the potential energy of the two blocks into internal energy that can be measured by the increase in temperature of the water... but what happens to the kinetic energy of the blocks as they are falling? They have velocity and mass so there must be kinetic energy, how is that accounted for in the setup of the apparatus?
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