What is the kinetic energy of a pile driver ram if it undergoes a decrease in potential energy of 10 kJ from rest?

The kinetic energy of an object is the energy that it possesses due to its motion, while potential energy is the stored energy based on its position or configuration. In the case of the pile driver ram, when it falls from rest, it converts its potential energy into kinetic energy as it descends.

When the problem states that there is a decrease in potential energy of 10 kJ, this means that the ram has lost this amount of potential energy as it moves downward. According to the principle of conservation of energy, the total energy in a closed system must remain constant. Thus, the loss in potential energy is equal to the gain in kinetic energy, assuming there are no other forces doing work (like friction).

Since the ram starts from rest, its initial kinetic energy is 0 kJ. The decrease in potential energy of 10 kJ directly translates into an increase in kinetic energy of the same amount. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the pile driver ram after the fall is exactly 10 kJ.