As shown below, a student places a 500-gram car at point X on a wooden racetrack in an energy transformation investigation.
What outcome is most likely if the student uses a 700-gram car instead?
(1 point)
Responses
A 700-gram car would have less potential energy at point X and less kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have less potential energy at point X and less kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have more potential energy at point X and more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have more potential energy at point X and more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have more kinetic energy at point X and less potential energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have more kinetic energy at point X and less potential energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have less kinetic energy at point X and less potential energy at the bottom of the racetrack
A 700-gram car would have more potential energy at point X and more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack
The correct answer is:
A 700-gram car would have more potential energy at point X and more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack.
To determine the outcome if the student uses a 700-gram car instead of a 500-gram car, we need to consider the concept of potential and kinetic energy.
Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or condition. In this case, we can say that the potential energy of the car is determined by its height above a reference point.
Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the energy of motion and is determined by the mass and velocity of the object.
Since the mass of the car is changing from 500 grams to 700 grams, we can expect a difference in the potential and kinetic energy.
For potential energy at point X on the racetrack, a heavier car would have more potential energy because the height remains constant regardless of the mass. So, the potential energy of the 700-gram car would be greater than that of the 500-gram car at point X.
For kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack, the velocity of the car will be influenced by its mass. Since the mass is increasing, the 700-gram car would have more kinetic energy than the 500-gram car at the bottom of the racetrack.
Therefore, the correct response is:
"A 700-gram car would have more potential energy at point X and more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack."