The drawing shows two identical airplanes at an air show. The airplanes are flying at the same speed. Airplane W is flying 50 m higher than Airplane X. Which statement best describes the energy of the two airplanes?

Regarding two airplanes flying at the same speed and different heights, the two airplanes have the same kinetic energy but different gravitational potential energies.

The drawing shows two identical airplanes and we want to compare their kinetic and gravitational potential energies.

Kinetic energy (K) is the energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. It can be calculated using the following formula.

K = 1/2 × m × v²

where,

Since both airplanes have the same mass and speed, they have the same kinetic energy as well.

Gravitational potential energy (U) is the energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. It can be calculated using the following formula.

U = m × g × h

where,

Airplane W, which is 50 m higher, has a greater gravitational potential energy than Airplane X.

Which statement best describes the energy of the two airplanes?

A. Airplane W has a greater kinetic energy than Airplane X. False, they have the same kinetic energy.

B. The two airplanes have the same gravitational potential energy but different kinetic energies. False, they have different gravitational potential energies and the same kinetic energy.

C. Airplane X has more gravitational potential energy than airplane W. False, Airplane W has more gravitational potential energy than airplane X.

D. The two airplanes have the same kinetic energy but different gravitational potential energies. True.

Regarding two airplanes flying at the same speed and different heights, the two airplanes have the same kinetic energy but different gravitational potential energies.

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Option (D)

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is defined by the energy acquired by an object due to its positional change in presence of gravitational force.

Gravitational potential energy depends on the height of the object above the ground, its mass and amount of gravitational force applied.

Since, in the given picture two airplanes are flying at different heights, gravitational potential energy will be different.

Since, both the planes are flying at the same speed, kinetic energies of both the planes will be same.

Therefore, option (D) will be the answer.

more than, less

less than, more