A boulder sits on a steep mountain slope. After a heavy rain storm, the boulder rolls down the mountain. Which is the best prediction of the rock’s kinetic energy?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The boulder’s kinetic energy will not be converted into potential energy.
The boulder’s kinetic energy will not be converted into potential energy.

All of the boulder’s potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
All of the boulder’s potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

A small portion of the boulder’s potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
A small portion of the boulder’s potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Most of the boulder’s potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

Answer 1

The best prediction of the rock’s kinetic energy as it rolls down the mountain is:

Most of the boulder’s potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

This is because as the boulder moves down the slope, the gravitational potential energy it had while sitting at a higher elevation is largely transformed into kinetic energy of motion. Some energy may be lost to friction and other forces, but typically, a significant portion is converted to kinetic energy.