If the kinetic energy of a system decreases while the system's thermal energy and potential energy are unaltered, which of the following is true? The system is doing work on the environment and the total mechanical energy of the system is higher. The system is doing work on the environment and the total mechanical energy of the system is lower. The environment is doing work on the system and the total mechanical energy of the system is higher. The environment is doing work on the system and the total mechanical energy of the system is lower.
Question
If the kinetic energy of a system decreases while the system's thermal energy and potential energy are unaltered, which of the following is true? The system is doing work on the environment and the total mechanical energy of the system is higher. The system is doing work on the environment and the total mechanical energy of the system is lower. The environment is doing work on the system and the total mechanical energy of the system is higher. The environment is doing work on the system and the total mechanical energy of the system is lower.
Solution
The correct answer is: The system is doing work on the environment and the total mechanical energy of the system is lower.
Here's why:
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Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. If the kinetic energy of a system decreases, it means that the system is slowing down or stopping its motion.
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If the system's thermal energy and potential energy are unaltered, it means that the energy is not being converted into these forms.
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The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another. So, if the kinetic energy is decreasing and it's not being converted into thermal or potential energy, it must be being transferred out of the system.
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This transfer of energy out of the system is the system doing work on the environment.
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The total mechanical energy of a system is the sum of its kinetic energy and potential energy. Since the kinetic energy is decreasing and the potential energy is unaltered, the total mechanical energy of the system is decreasing, or in other words, is lower.
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