Question

Unit 2 & 3: Energy Test
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Question
Possible Points: 1
A student creates a model of a roller coaster to demonstrate energy transformation. She places the roller coaster car at the highest point and lets it go. The car rolls forward and completes the course with no additional energy.




What energy transformation can the student describe as occurring between point X and point Y?

Responses

Kinetic changes to potential, then some potential changes to kinetic.
Kinetic changes to potential, then some potential changes to kinetic.

Kinetic changes to potential, then some potential changes to thermal.
Kinetic changes to potential, then some potential changes to thermal.

Potential changes to kinetic, then some kinetic changes to potential.
Potential changes to kinetic, then some kinetic changes to potential.

Thermal changes to potential, then some potential changes to thermal.
Thermal changes to potential, then some potential changes to thermal.

Answer 1

In the scenario described, the roller coaster car starts at a high point (point X), where it has maximum potential energy. As it moves downward, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. By the time it reaches point Y, most or all of its potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy.

During the ride, if energy losses due to friction or air resistance are negligible (as mentioned that there is no additional energy input), we can summarize this transformation as:

**Potential energy changes to kinetic energy.**

Given the options provided, the correct transformation between point X and point Y is:

**Potential changes to kinetic, then some kinetic changes to potential.**

This option acknowledges that the energy transitions from potential to kinetic as the car moves downward, and subsequently, if it rises again, kinetic energy would convert back to potential energy. However, since the question specifically frames the transition between just two points (X and Y), focusing mostly on the initial drop inside the roller coaster illustrates a primary conversion of potential to kinetic energy.

Thus, the best choice would be:

**Potential changes to kinetic, then some kinetic changes to potential.**