What term describes a motion in which there is no gain or loss in gravitational potential energy?

What term describes a motion in which there is no gain or loss in gravitational potential energy?

• A. Vertical circle
• B. Horizontal circle
• C. Circular motion
• D. Rotational motion

Answer: (B)

The term that describes motion in which there is no gain or loss in gravitational potential energy is best represented by horizontal circular motion. In a horizontal circle, an object moves in a circular path at a constant height, meaning its distance from the ground does not change. Since gravitational potential energy is directly related to the height above a reference level, the potential energy remains constant as the object continues to move along the circular path. In contrast, vertical circles involve changes in height, which result in changes to gravitational potential energy. Circular motion is a broader term that encompasses both horizontal and vertical motion, but it does not specify whether the potential energy is constant or changing. Rotational motion refers to objects rotating around an axis but does not inherently relate to changes in gravitational potential energy. Thus, horizontal circular motion is the most accurate term to describe the scenario without changes in gravitational potential energy.

The term that describes motion in which there is no gain or loss in gravitational potential energy is best represented by horizontal circular motion. In a horizontal circle, an object moves in a circular path at a constant height, meaning its distance from the ground does not change. Since gravitational potential energy is directly related to the height above a reference level, the potential energy remains constant as the object continues to move along the circular path.

In contrast, vertical circles involve changes in height, which result in changes to gravitational potential energy. Circular motion is a broader term that encompasses both horizontal and vertical motion, but it does not specify whether the potential energy is constant or changing. Rotational motion refers to objects rotating around an axis but does not inherently relate to changes in gravitational potential energy. Thus, horizontal circular motion is the most accurate term to describe the scenario without changes in gravitational potential energy.