A student places two horseshoe magnets next to each other, and the poles of the magnets attach to each other. How does the kinetic energy of the system change?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Kinetic energy increases because the magnets move in the direction of the field.
Kinetic energy increases because the magnets move in the direction of the field.

Kinetic energy decreases because the magnets move in the direction of the field.
Kinetic energy decreases because the magnets move in the direction of the field.

Kinetic energy increases because the magnets move in the opposite direction of the field.
Kinetic energy increases because the magnets move in the opposite direction of the field.

Kinetic energy decreases because the magnets move in the opposite direction of the field.

Answer 1

The correct response would be:

Kinetic energy decreases because the magnets move in the direction of the field.

When the poles of the magnets attract each other, they will naturally move towards each other due to the magnetic force. As they move closer, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. However, in the context of magnets attracting each other, the movement of the magnets decreases their relative positions of stored potential energy, resulting in a decrease in kinetic energy as they are pulled together into a stable position.