Multiple Choice Question
Students are investigating energy transfer in the laboratory. The students use rubber bands and rulers for their investigation. They attach a rubber band to each ruler, pull the band back, and allow the band to launch from the ruler. The diagram shows their set up.
The results of their investigation are shown.
Ruler Distance Band Is Pulled Back
(centimeters) Distance Band Travels (centimeters)
1 5 61
2 10 122
3 15 213
4 20 366
Which statement best describes the results of their investigation?
A.
The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
B.
The less potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
C.
The more kinetic energy the band has, the more potential energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
D.
The less kinetic energy the band has, the more potential energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
A student is investigating the transfer of potential energy into kinetic energy. The student uses a slingshot and a marble, as shown in the diagram.
The steps of the student's investigation are shown.
Step 1 Place the marble in the slingshot, pull back on the sling to a distance of 15 centimeters, release the sling, and record the distance the marble travels.
Step 2 Place the marble in the slingshot, pull back on the sling to a distance of 10 centimeters, release the sling, and record the distance the marble travels.
Step 3 Place the marble in the slingshot, pull back on the sling to a distance of 5 centimeters, release the sling, and record the distance the marble travels.
What will MOST LIKELY be the result of this investigation?
A.
The marble released from a distance of 5 centimeters will have the most potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel the farthest.
B.
The marble released from a distance of 15 centimeters will have the most potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel the farthest.
C.
The marble released from a distance of 5 centimeters will have the least potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel the farthest.
D.
The marble released from a distance of 15 centimeters will have the least potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel the farthest.
B. The marble released from a distance of 15 centimeters will have the most potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel the farthest.
The correct answer is A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
To find the answer to this question, we need to analyze the given data and understand the relationship between the distance the band is pulled back and the distance it travels.
In this investigation, the distance the band is pulled back represents the potential energy of the system. The farther the band is pulled back, the more potential energy it has.
Meanwhile, the distance the band travels represents the kinetic energy that is transferred from the potential energy of the band to its motion. The farther the band travels, the more kinetic energy it has.
By analyzing the data, we can observe that as the distance the band is pulled back increases, the distance the band travels also increases. This implies that there is a direct relationship between the potential energy and the kinetic energy of the band.
Based on these observations, the correct statement that best describes the results of their investigation is:
A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.