Question

Use the image to answer the question.





This image of a roller coaster is designed to show important information about potential and kinetic energy. One of these labeled pieces of information is incorrect. Which information is wrong, and why?

(1 point)
Responses

The spot marked “maximum gravitational potential energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.
The spot marked “maximum gravitational potential energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.

The spot with the “maximum kinetic energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.
The spot with the “maximum kinetic energy” should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom.

The roller coaster would only have kinetic energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”
The roller coaster would only have kinetic energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”

The roller coaster would only have potential energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”
The roller coaster would only have potential energy at the point labeled “gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.”
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Answer 1

The incorrect information is:

"The spot marked 'maximum gravitational potential energy' should be on the lowest point of the roller coaster, at the far left side on the bottom."

**Reason:** Maximum gravitational potential energy occurs at the highest points of the roller coaster, not the lowest. At the lowest point, the roller coaster has maximum kinetic energy, as this is when it is moving fastest due to the conversion of potential energy (from the height of the previous hill) into kinetic energy.