Kristina demonstrates a toy for her younger brother. The steps to operate the toy are listed below.

Question

Step 1. Push the toy down.
Step 2. A spring compresses.
Step 3. Release the toy.
Step 4. The toy jumps into the air.

Which best describes Step 4?

Elastic potential energy changes to gravitational potential energy.
Gravitational potential energy changes to elastic potential energy.
Kristina does work to increase the gravitational potential energy.
Kristina does work to increase the elastic potential energy.

Answer 1

Step 4, where the toy jumps into the air after being released, best corresponds to the statement:

Elastic potential energy changes to gravitational potential energy.

This is because when the spring is compressed (Step 2), it stores elastic potential energy. Upon release (Step 3), that stored elastic potential energy is converted into gravitational potential energy as the toy moves upward into the air (Step 4).