Two bar magnets are held in place with their north poles facing each other. Both magnets are released at the same time. Which statement describing changes to the energy of the system is correct?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Potential energy increases, and kinetic and thermal energy decrease.
Potential energy increases, and kinetic and thermal energy decrease.

Potential energy decreases, and kinetic and thermal energy increase.
Potential energy decreases, and kinetic and thermal energy increase.

Potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases, and thermal energy decreases.
Potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases, and thermal energy decreases.

Potential energy increases, kinetic energy decreases, and thermal energy increases.
Potential energy increases, kinetic energy decreases, and thermal energy increases.

Answer 1

When two bar magnets are held with their north poles facing each other, they are in a state of high potential energy due to the repulsive magnetic force between them. When released, they will move apart, resulting in a decrease in potential energy as they gain kinetic energy in their motion away from each other.

Based on this understanding, the correct statement describing the changes to the energy of the system is:

Potential energy decreases, and kinetic energy increases.

While the thermal energy change is not explicitly described in common scenarios involving the release of magnets, typically when potential energy converts to kinetic energy, thermal energy may remain constant, or it could be minimal depending on the friction or air resistance, but this option best captures the main energy transitions involved.

Since the exact phrasing may vary in the answer choices you've provided, choose the option that indicates potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases.