- #1
SwanseaStephen
Hey guys, my name's Stephen, and this is my first post (hopefully of many). I never studied above algebra based physics and am not in a physics-related field, but now as an adult I'm trying to really learn physics, so bare with me and don't assume I know anything. I'm happy to find a forum where I can post questions to help further my understanding. SO, here goes...
The equation potential energy = mass x gravity x height brought me to a thought experiment.
Let's say you have a 1kg mass at 1m height, with a gravity of 10 m/s^2. Now imagine I flipped a gravity switch and instantaneously the value of gravity was cut in half, to 5. Of course the mass is constant, and at that instantaneous moment the height should be unchanged as well. It follows that at this moment the potential energy of the ball should also decrease in half. That could be an incorrect assumption on my part, but if this is correct, then where would that energy GO? Would the ball, under half as much gravity, raise to a height of 2m using kinetic energy, and if so, as it comes closer to h = 2 meters is the kinetic energy going back into potential energy, where PE = m(1/2 g)(2h) and thus the total energy in the system remained constant?
Please let me know if my understanding is correct here or if I've messed up somewhere.
Also idk what the prefixes mean yet so sorry if I put the wrong prefix down
The equation potential energy = mass x gravity x height brought me to a thought experiment.
Let's say you have a 1kg mass at 1m height, with a gravity of 10 m/s^2. Now imagine I flipped a gravity switch and instantaneously the value of gravity was cut in half, to 5. Of course the mass is constant, and at that instantaneous moment the height should be unchanged as well. It follows that at this moment the potential energy of the ball should also decrease in half. That could be an incorrect assumption on my part, but if this is correct, then where would that energy GO? Would the ball, under half as much gravity, raise to a height of 2m using kinetic energy, and if so, as it comes closer to h = 2 meters is the kinetic energy going back into potential energy, where PE = m(1/2 g)(2h) and thus the total energy in the system remained constant?
Please let me know if my understanding is correct here or if I've messed up somewhere.
Also idk what the prefixes mean yet so sorry if I put the wrong prefix down