7. In an investigation of energy transfer, a student observes a roller coaster at locations A, B, C, and D. Then she creates the graph below of the roller coaster’s potential and kinetic energy at each location.
Which statement is true according to the graph?
(1 point)
Responses
Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change.
Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change.
The roller coaster creates kinetic energy.
The roller coaster creates kinetic energy.
The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.
The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.
The roller coaster destroys potential energy.
The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.
The correct statement according to the graph is:
The roller coaster’s kinetic and potential energy change from location to the next, but its total energy remains the same.
To determine which statement is true according to the graph, we need to analyze the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy at each location.
From the graph, we can see that potential energy increases as the roller coaster moves from location A to location D. This is evident by the increasing height of the potential energy line on the graph. However, the kinetic energy line remains constant throughout, indicating that the roller coaster's kinetic energy does not change.
Thus, the correct statement is: "Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change."
To explain how to reach this conclusion:
1. Examine the graph provided in the question. Identify the points A, B, C, and D on the x-axis.
2. Look at the vertical axis to determine the energy levels at each point. The graph should show potential energy and kinetic energy levels.
3. Follow the line representing potential energy. Determine if it increases, decreases, or stays the same as the roller coaster moves from location A to location D.
4. Look at the line representing kinetic energy. Determine if it increases, decreases, or stays the same as the roller coaster moves from location A to location D.
5. Compare the observations for potential energy and kinetic energy. Based on the graph, if potential energy increases and kinetic energy remains constant, the correct statement is that potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change.
Therefore, the answer is the first option: "Potential energy increases, but kinetic energy does not change."