An object is dropped to the ground on earth or the moon. Which one releases the most energy on impact?
Gravitational potential energy is proportional to the force due to gravity times the distance the object is elevated above the ground, or another relevent surface. As the object falls, this potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, until it reaches the ground; at which point its potential energy is zero and its kinetic energy is maximal. During the collision, the ground and the air around it absorb and convert the energy into vibrations, heat, sound, and possibly plastic deformation (denting) of the surface. If the two objects are of equal wieght and are lifted an equal distance, the object dropped on the earth will “release” more energy because it had more potential energy to begin with.
