Two magnets with like poles facing each other are brought close to each other and then released. How does the energy stored in the system change? (1 point)

Question

Responses

The energy stored decreases.
The energy stored decreases.

The energy stored increases.
The energy stored increases.

The energy stored decreases and then increases.
The energy stored decreases and then increases.

The energy stored increases and then decreases.

Answer 1

When two magnets with like poles facing each other are brought close together, they repel each other. As they are held close, potential energy is stored in the system due to the magnetic field created by the repulsion. Once released, the magnets will move apart, and the potential energy associated with their position will convert into kinetic energy as they move away from each other.

So, when they are close together, the energy stored (potential energy) is high, and as they move apart, that stored energy is transformed into kinetic energy. However, overall energy conservation means that the total energy in the system remains constant.

In this case, the best response is:

The energy stored decreases and then increases.

This response covers the transition of potential energy as they are brought together and the release of that energy as they move apart, leading to an understanding of energy transformation within the system.