what happens to total energy as an object speeds up? does it increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Question

I just need help answering this question for a physics lab.

Answer 1

Maja,

          If we assume that the object is a particle on earth then the total energy E=KE + PE the KE=1/2mv² and PE =mgz so if the object speeds up and z remains constant then the total energy will increase.

 

Hope this helps

Jim