read the text about an object in motion.\na maple tree seed hung from a branch of a tall maple tree. a…
read the text about an object in motion.\na maple tree seed hung from a branch of a tall maple tree. a strong breeze blew the seed off the branch. the seed drifted down toward the ground and landed in a patch of dirt. the seed sat in the dirt for a week before starting to germinate.\nwhen was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the seed and earth? assume that the seeds mass did not change.\nwhen the seed was attached to the tall branch\nwhen the seed was blown off the branch by the wind\nwhen the seed was about to germinate in the dirt
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall gravitational - potential energy formula
The gravitational - potential energy formula is $U = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, and $h$ is the height above the ground.
Step2: Analyze height in each situation
When the seed is attached to the tall branch, it has a high height $h_1$. When it is blown off the branch, it is still at a relatively high height $h_2$. When it is about to germinate in the dirt, its height $h_3$ is close to 0. Since $m$ and $g$ are constant, and $U$ is proportional to $h$, the lower the height, the lower the gravitational - potential energy.
Answer:
when the seed was about to germinate in the dirt