Question

A heavy rock and a light rock are dropped from the same height and experience no significant air resistance as they fall. Which of the following statements about these rocks are correct? (There could be more than one correct choice.)

-The heavier rock reaches the ground before the lighter rock.

-Both rocks have the same kinetic energy when they reach the ground.

-When they reach the ground, the heavier rock has more kinetic energy than the lighter rock.

-Both rocks have the same speed when they reach the ground.

-Just as they were released, both rocks had the same amount of gravitational potential energy.

Answer 1

The time taken for both the rocks to reach the ground is the same. First option is incorrect.

The velocities of both the particle is the same, but as the masses are different the kinetic energy will be different. When they reach the ground, the heavier rock has more kinetic energy than the lighter rock.

Similarly  the gravitational potential energy will be greater for the rock with greater mass.

Both rocks have the same speed when they reach the ground.