It is said that Isaac Newton was inspired to develop the theory of gravitation by watching an apple fall from a tree.
Ignoring any effects due to air friction and taking g=10 Nkg−1, calculate the gravitational potential energy of a 100 g apple on a tree branch that is 6.0 m above the ground.
a. If the apple falls to the ground, use equations of kinematics to calculate the time it would take to land on the ground.
b. Using equations of kinematics, calculate the speed of the apple just before it hits the ground.
c. Now use the conservation of mechanical energy to calculate the speed of the apple just before it hits the ground.