For a body projected at an angle with the horizontal from the ground, choose the correct statement
- Gravitational potential energy is maximum at the highest point.
- The horizontal component of velocity is zero at highest point.
- The vertical component of momentum is maximum at the highest point.
- The kinetic energy (K.E.) is zero at the highest point of projectile motion.
Solution
In a projectile motion, a particle has two components of velocity. The horizontal component of velocity remains constant over time, while the vertical component of velocity changes.
At highest point, the vertical component of velocity becomes zero, but the horizontal component is non-zero. So the kinetic energy of the particle is not zero.
The formula to calculate the potential energy of the particle is given by
where, is the mass, is the acceleration due to gravity and is the vertical height attained by the object.
Hence, the potential energy is maximum when the projectile attains the maximum height.
Asked in: JEE Main 2023 (01 Feb Shift 2)