A student creates a model of a roller coaster to demonstrate energy transformation. Once the roller coaster car is lifted to the highest point on the track by chain drive, it is released and completes the course with no additional energy.

Question

What transformation can the student describe as occurring between point X and point Y?
Group of answer choices

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

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

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

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

Answer 1

The correct choice for the energy transformation occurring between point X (the highest point of the roller coaster) and point Y (when it moves down the track) would be:

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

At point X (the highest point), the roller coaster car has maximum potential energy. As it begins to descend, that potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the speed of the car increases. As the car moves across the track, there might be points where kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy, such as when the car climbs again. Thus, the transformation includes the initial conversion from potential to kinetic, followed by possible conversions back to potential energy.