Consider the following four statements about isolated systems in which only…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · GCSE · Physics · Energy · Energy
Problem
Consider the following four statements about isolated systems in which only conservative forces act. For each statement, decide whether it is true or false and provide a qualitative justification rooted in energy conservation principles.
Statement 1: "If two objects fall vertically through the same height, the heavier object always arrives with more kinetic energy than the lighter one."
Statement 2: "A pendulum bob released from rest will have its maximum speed at the lowest point of the swing regardless of the bob’s mass."
Statement 3: "Doubling the mass of an object attached to an ideal spring, while keeping the maximum compression of the spring the same, doubles the maximum elastic potential energy stored in the spring."
Statement 4: "When an object oscillates on a frictionless track between two identical springs, the total mechanical energy of the system remains constant only if the object’s mass does not change during the motion."
(a) Evaluate Statement 1 qualitatively, indicating whether it is true or false and explaining your reasoning in terms of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
(b) Evaluate Statement 2 qualitatively, indicating whether it is true or false and explaining your reasoning in terms of energy transformations during the pendulum’s motion.
(c) Evaluate Statement 3 qualitatively, indicating whether it is true or false and explaining your reasoning with appropriate reference to relevant physical quantities.
(d) Evaluate Statement 4 qualitatively, indicating whether it is true or false and explaining your reasoning with explicit reference to conservation of mechanical energy.