Question

With the beam being held still at a height of 40 m, the crane breaks and the beam falls to the ground. Assuming no air resistance, how much total energy will the beam have just as it hits the ground?

Answer 1

assuming they are looking for kinetic energy, than it will be equal to the gravitational potential energy when it was still 40m in the air, the simplified formula for gravitational PE is mgh

Answer 2

could you also help me with at which speed will the beam hit the ground? @MrDoe

Answer 3

the PE is converted to KE as it falls, so solve for the PE first and then final KE is (1/2)mv^2, solve for v