Rebecca climbs the ladder of a large water slide, waits her turn at the top, and then slides down the slide into a pool. Which answer best describes the energy changes during her time on the slide?(1 point)
Responses
potential → kinetic → potential
potential → kinetic → potential
kinetic → potential → kinetic
kinetic → potential → kinetic
kinetic → mechanical → potential
kinetic → mechanical → potential
potential → mechanical → kinetic
potential → kinetic → potential
The correct answer is: potential → kinetic → potential
The correct answer is:
kinetic → potential → kinetic
Explanation:
During Rebecca's time on the water slide, there are two main energy changes happening.
First, as Rebecca climbs the ladder of the water slide, she is increasing her potential energy. This is because an object's potential energy increases as it moves higher in a gravitational field. So, as Rebecca climbs higher on the ladder, her potential energy increases.
Next, when Rebecca reaches the top of the slide and slides down, her potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and as Rebecca slides down the slide, her potential energy is transformed into the energy of her sliding motion.
Finally, when Rebecca reaches the bottom of the slide and enters the pool, her kinetic energy is partly converted back into potential energy as she comes to a stop in the water. This potential energy is due to Rebecca's position in the water, where she can rise up to the surface if she so chooses.
Therefore, the energy changes during Rebecca's time on the slide can be described as kinetic → potential → kinetic.