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.

The roller coaster creates kinetic energy.
The roller coaster creates kinetic energy.

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

The roller coaster destroys potential energy.

Answer 1

The correct statement according to the graph is:

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

This reflects the principle of conservation of energy, where energy is transformed from potential to kinetic (and vice versa), but the total mechanical energy stays constant (assuming no losses due to friction or air resistance).