Eli and Sandra are sailing off the Atlantic Ocean. Eli claims that the sailboat’s motion is based on kinetic energy being transferred to the sailboat and that the motion of the sailboat is impacted by the kinetic energy that is added or removed from the sailboat.

Question

Which three statements best support Eli’s claim?
A.
People walking on the deck of the sailboat transfer energy to the sailboat and cause the boat to slow down.
B.
Waves hit the side of the boat which transfers kinetic energy to the boat and causes it to slow down.
C.
When rain pours straight down on the boat, kinetic energy is transferred to the sailboat and the boat increases it speed.
D.
Kinetic energy is transferred to the boat when wind hits the sail and causes it to speed up.
E.
Using the rudder (the underwater moveable fin) to turn the sailboat to the right cause it to lose kinetic energy as it slows down and turns.

Answer 1

The three statements that best support Eli’s claim about the motion of the sailboat being based on kinetic energy being added or removed are:

D. Kinetic energy is transferred to the boat when wind hits the sail and causes it to speed up.

A. People walking on the deck of the sailboat transfer energy to the sailboat and cause the boat to slow down.

E. Using the rudder (the underwater moveable fin) to turn the sailboat to the right causes it to lose kinetic energy as it slows down and turns.

These statements illustrate the concepts of kinetic energy transfer related to the sailboat's movement, demonstrating both how energy can be added (through wind) or removed (through actions such as people walking or turning).