A body is falling from a height h. After it has fallen a height h/2

A body is falling from a height h. After it has fallen a height h/2, it will possess

  1. only potential energy
  2. only kinetic energy
  3. half potential and half kinetic energy
  4. more kinetic and less potential energy

Answer

When a body is at height h,

Total Energy = Kinetic Energy (KE) + Potential Energy (PE)

At h, KE = 0 and PE = mgh

At the height h/2,

PE = mgh/2

KE = ½mv2

From the equation of motion,

v2 = u2 + 2as

v2 = 2gh/2

v = √(gh)

So, KE = mgh/2

Therefore, the body possesses half kinetic energy and half potential energy.

The correct option is C.