In an investigation of potential and kinetic energy, a student stands at the top of a hill and pushes a ball down the hill as shown. How does the potential and kinetic energy of the ball change as the ball rolls down the hill? (1 point) Responses The potential and kinetic energy of the ball both decrease. The potential and kinetic energy of the ball both decrease. The potential energy of the ball decreases, and the kinetic energy of the ball increases. The potential energy of the ball decreases, and the kinetic energy of the ball increases. The potential energy of the ball increases, and the kinetic energy of the ball decreases. The potential energy of the ball increases, and the kinetic energy of the ball decreases. The potential and kinetic energy of the ball both increase.
The potential energy of the ball decreases, and the kinetic energy of the ball increases.
The correct response is: The potential energy of the ball decreases, and the kinetic energy of the ball increases.
The potential energy of an object depends on its height and its mass. The kinetic energy of an object depends on its mass and its velocity. In this situation, as the ball rolls down the hill, its height decreases because it is moving closer to the ground. Therefore, its potential energy decreases. At the same time, its velocity increases because it is gaining speed as it rolls down the hill. As the velocity increases, the kinetic energy of the ball also increases.
So, the correct answer is: The potential energy of the ball decreases, and the kinetic energy of the ball increases.