A body is falling under gravity. When it loses a...

A body is falling under gravity. When it loses a gravitational potential energy by $U$, its speed is $v$. The mass of the body shall be
(a) $\frac{2 U}{v}$
(b) $\frac{U}{2 v}$
(c) $\frac{2 U}{v^{2}}$
(d) $\frac{U}{2 v^{2}}$

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Key Concepts

Conservation of Energy

The conservation of energy principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. In the context of a falling body, the decrease in gravitational potential energy is equated to the increase in kinetic energy, enabling the derivation of other quantities, such as the object's mass, based on measurable values like velocity and energy change.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. When an object falls, it loses gravitational potential energy, which is typically converted into kinetic energy, with the amount of energy depending on the object's mass and the height from which it falls.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. For a falling body, the kinetic energy can be described by the equation (1/2)mv², where m is the mass and v is the velocity. This relationship allows us to relate the energy the object loses to its speed as it falls.

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