HESI A2 Physics Related

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A 50-kg box of iron fishing weights is balanced at the edge of a table. Peter gives it a push, and it falls 2 meters to the floor. Which of the following statements is true?

  • A. Once the box hits the floor, it loses both its kinetic and potential energy.
  • B. The box had kinetic energy only when it was balanced at the edge of the table.
  • C. The box had both kinetic and potential energy after it fell.
  • D. Once the box hits the floor, it loses all its kinetic energy.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When the box is balanced at the edge of the table, it has potential energy due to its position above the ground. As Peter gives it a push, and it falls 2 meters to the floor, the box then has both kinetic energy (due to its motion) and potential energy (due to gravity). Therefore, the correct statement is that the box had both kinetic and potential energy after it fell. Option A is incorrect because the box retains its energy forms even after hitting the floor. Option B is incorrect as the box has kinetic energy both before and after falling. Option D is incorrect as the box still possesses kinetic energy even after hitting the floor.