If you are at an amusement park and you ride a slingshot, how does your potential energy compare to your kinetic energy at the top of the shot?

The kinetic energy is less than potential energy.
The kinetic energy is less than potential energy.

The kinetic energy and potential energy are the same.
The kinetic energy and potential energy are the same.

Kinetic energy is greater than potential energy.
Kinetic energy is greater than potential energy.

The kinetic energy is twice the amount of potential energy.

1 answer

At the top of a slingshot ride, the potential energy is at its maximum because the ride has lifted you to its highest point. At the same time, the kinetic energy is at its minimum (approaching zero) because the ride momentarily comes to a stop at the peak before descending.

Therefore, the correct comparison would be:

The kinetic energy is less than potential energy.

At the top of the shot, potential energy is at its highest, while kinetic energy is at its lowest.