7. In an investigation of energy transfer, a student observes a roller coaster at locations A, B, C, and D. Then she creates the graph below of the roller coaster’s potential and kinetic energy at each location.

Question

Which statement is true according to the graph?

(1 point)
Responses

The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.
The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.

Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change.
Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change.

The roller coaster destroys potential energy.
The roller coaster destroys potential energy.

The roller coaster creates kinetic energy.

Answer 1

The correct statement according to the graph you described is:

The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.

In a closed system, like a roller coaster, energy can be transformed from potential energy to kinetic energy and vice versa, but the total mechanical energy remains constant (assuming negligible friction and air resistance).