Tracy makes a list of energy transformations that occur as an engine runs to power a car.

Question

1. Chemical energy transforms into thermal energy.
2. Thermal energy transforms into electrical energy.
3. Chemical energy transforms into gravitational potential energy.
4. Thermal energy transforms into kinetic energy.

Which transformation should Tracy remove from the list?

1
2
3
4

Answer 1

Tracy should remove option 3: "Chemical energy transforms into gravitational potential energy."

In a typical car engine, the main energy transformations involve the conversion of chemical energy from fuel into thermal energy through combustion, which is then converted into kinetic energy (the motion of the car). While electrical energy is used in some car systems, it's not a primary transformation in the context of engine operation. Gravitational potential energy does not directly result from the chemical energy of fuel in the context of how a car engine operates.