Question

Use the image to answer the question.



Diagram of roller coaster track showing a train on the first hill, labeled with maximum potential energy at the top and potential and kinetic energy partway down.

This image of a roller coaster is designed to show important information about potential and kinetic energy. One of these labeled pieces of information is incorrect. Which information is wrong, and why?

(1 point)
Responses

The spot marked “maximum gravitational potential energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.
The spot marked “maximum gravitational potential energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.

The roller coaster would only have kinetic energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”
The roller coaster would only have kinetic energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”

The roller coaster would only have potential energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”
The roller coaster would only have potential energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”

The spot with the “maximum kinetic energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.

Answer 1

The spot labeled “maximum kinetic energy” is wrong — maximum kinetic energy should occur at the lowest point of the track (where gravitational potential energy is minimal). By energy conservation (neglecting friction), as the car descends potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, so KE is largest at the lowest height.