A seismic landing probe drops vertically towards a safety capture platform.

Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box:

[ chemical | elastic potential | gravitational potential | kinetic | nuclear ]

• As the probe falls, there is a decrease in its ____________________ energy.
• As the probe falls, there is an increase in its ____________________ energy.

As the probe lands on the capture platform, it stretches several identical suspension cords. Each cord behaves like a spring and is stretched by $0.15\text{ m}$. The spring constant of each cord is $4\,800\text{ N/m}$.

Calculate the energy stored by each cord.

Use the equation: \$\text{elastic potential energy} = 0.5 \times \text{spring constant} \times (\text{extension})^2\$

There are 16 identical cords in the capture platform.

Calculate the total energy stored by the 16 cords when each cord is stretched by $0.15\text{ m}$. Use your answer from Part 2.

The kinetic energy of the probe as it lands on the capture platform is $1\,200\text{ J}$. The maximum kinetic energy of the probe as it is bounced upwards is $35\%$ of its kinetic energy as it lands.

Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the probe after it bounces.

Why is the kinetic energy of the probe after it bounces less than its kinetic energy as it lands? Select one option:

• Energy is not conserved.
• Energy is transferred to the surroundings.
• The cords transfer energy to the probe.