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?

The roller coaster destroys potential energy.
The roller coaster destroys potential energy.

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

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.

Answer 1

Based on the principles of energy conservation, the correct statement regarding the roller coaster's energy transfer is:

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

In a closed system (assuming no friction or air resistance), the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant, even though potential and kinetic energies will transform into one another as the roller coaster moves along the track. Potential energy increases when the coaster is at higher elevations and decreases as it descends, while kinetic energy increases as the coaster gains speed and decreases as it slows down.