There are two continents with an ocean between them. Today, the continents have very different plants and animals on them. However, a geologist found
fossils of the same type of organism on both continents. Millions of years ago,
when this type of organism was alive, we know it lived in only one place. The
geologist is using the fossils as evidence to argue that the two continents used
to be touching. How could the continents have gotten so far apart, and how long
did it take for this to happen?

nãoe siamigo   deculsp amsmoeme

first let us lay out the formula for potential

and kinetic energy:

pe = mgh

ke = (mv^2)/2

where: m=mass, v=velocity, g=gravitational

acceleration, h=height

calculating for mass using the known values of

pe:

340j = m (9.81 m/s^2) (50ft) (1m/3.28ft)

m = 2.27 kg

the law of conservation of energy states that

energy is neither created nor destroyed. therefore, the change in kinetic

energy from 50 ft to 35 ft would be equal to the change in potential energy

from 50 ft to 35 ft. however it would be opposite in signs since one is losing

while other is gaining.

ke(35ft) – ke(50ft) = - [ pe(35ft) – pe(50ft]

ke(50ft) = 0 since the brick is initially at rest

ke(35ft) = 340j - 2.27kg (9.81 m/s^2) (35ft)

(1m/3.28 ft)

ke(35ft)

= 102.38 j