Rebecca climbs the ladder of a large water slide, waits her turn at the top, and then slides down the slide into a pool. Which answer best describes the energy changes during her time on the slide

Question

kinetic-mechanical-potential
potential-kinetic-potential
kinetic-potential-kinetic
potential-mechanical-kinetic

Answer 1

The best answer that describes the energy changes during Rebecca's time on the slide is: potential-kinetic-potential.

1. Potential Energy: When Rebecca is at the top of the ladder, she has gravitational potential energy due to her height.
2. Kinetic Energy: As she slides down, her potential energy converts into kinetic energy, increasing as she gains speed.
3. Potential Energy: Upon entering the pool, her kinetic energy is reduced as she comes to a stop, and her potential energy reduces if she is still off the ground in the pool.

Thus, the energy transitions from potential to kinetic as she slides and possibly back to potential if she comes to rest at a different elevation in the pool.