Why does a falling ball ONLY convert its potential energy to kinetic energy...why not thermal energy ??

Answer 1

A ball does convert some of that potential energy into thermal energy, due to friction with the air, and ultimately a collision with the ground.

Answer 2

Energy is converted to thermal due to air resitance and the collision with the ground. Some energy is also converted into sound (or vibrations).

In physics, we like to make things simple. Since the energy lost due to heat and sound are very very very very small, we ignore them in our calculations!!

No sense in making an already tough subject even tougher, right?

Answer 3

you can say it converts all it's energy when it's in the vacuum.
but in the air some potential energy will convert to other shapes of energy.

Answer 4

ability frequently (sorry so obscure...it really is the great we can do): An entity it extremely is exchanged between bodies and switched over between its varieties to make certain that procedures of pastime to ensue. artwork: a mechanical move of ability by way of an alignment of a rigidity with the displacement of its purpose merchandise. Kinetic ability: ability because of the action of an merchandise. I.e. it really is the quantity of work (or damage) that the body can do because it includes relax. means ability (frequently): ability by way of placed and/or configuration Thermal ability: inner kinetic ability on the molecular/atomic aspect by way of haphazard action of molecules. it really is the flexibility which remains in a body. comparison thermal ability to warmth. imagine of it this way, thermal ability is to warmth as kinetic/means ability is to artwork. artwork and warm temperature are suggested to be dynamic energies. they are in person-friendly words something even as "you provide it away". means ability varieties, thermal ability, and kinetic ability are suggested to be static ability. they are ability that exists interior a body.