Physics paper on the conservation of energy

[Alethia]

I'm writing a physics paper on the conservation of energy. I used the topic pole vaulting to depict the conservation of energy. This is what I have in my report.

A pole vaulter will begin his or her vault with a sprint to build up kinetic energy, also known as motion energy. The kinetic energy will then be used once the pole vaulter is airborne, then converted to gravitational potential energy. The greatest kinetic energy will result in the maximum vertical distance. Once the pole vaulter reaches the highest point in air, his or her kinetic energy will be zero, but his or her potential energy will reach its maximum. As the pole vaulter falls back to the ground, his or her potential energy is then converted into kinetic energy until the jumper comes to rest. When the pole vaulter is at rest, he or she posses potential energy that has been converted from the kinetic energy.

I'm not 100% sure if what I have is correct, but I believe it to be. Would you please read over the information and make sure that it is valid?

 

[chroot]

You're all fine and dandy until you get to this point:

As the pole vaulter falls back to the ground, his or her potential energy is then converted into kinetic energy until the jumper comes to rest. When the pole vaulter is at rest, he or she posses potential energy that has been converted from the kinetic energy.

As the pole vaulter falls, he/she definitely does trade GPE for KE, and continues to do so allll the way down until he/she smacks into the ground.

At that point, all the energy of his/her motion is converted into heat and sound and flying sand.

Once he/she is back on the ground, he/she possesses no more GPE. If he/she is also no longer moving, she possesses no more KE either. She gave up all her energy when she collided with the ground.

- Warren

 

[M98Ranger]

Your understanding of the conservation of energy in the context of pole vaulting is correct. The key concept here is that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another. In the case of pole vaulting, the vaulter's initial sprint converts into kinetic energy, which is then converted into potential energy as they reach the highest point of their jump. As they come back down to the ground, the potential energy is once again converted into kinetic energy until they come to rest.

One thing to note is that in reality, some energy is lost due to factors such as air resistance and friction. This is why the vaulter does not reach the same height on their descent as they did on their ascent. However, the overall principle of conservation of energy still applies.

Overall, your understanding and explanation of the conservation of energy in the context of pole vaulting is accurate. Good job on your physics paper!