Kim is upstairs, but walks downstairs to the kitchen for a snack. Which statement correctly describes the types of energy she has at the top of the stairs and as she walks down the stairs?(1 point)
Responses
kinetic energy at the top of the stairs; potential energy as she walks down
kinetic energy at the top of the stairs; potential energy as she walks down
potential energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down
potential energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down
kinetic energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down
kinetic energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down
potential energy at the top of the stairs; potential energy as she walks down
potential energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down
The statement that correctly describes the types of energy Kim has at the top of the stairs and as she walks down the stairs is:
potential energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down.
The correct statement is: potential energy at the top of the stairs; kinetic energy as she walks down.
To understand why, we need to know the definitions of kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its motion, while potential energy is the energy that an object possesses because of its position or state.
When Kim is at the top of the stairs and not moving, she has potential energy because of her position above the ground. This potential energy could be converted to kinetic energy if she were to start moving.
As Kim walks down the stairs, she converts her potential energy into kinetic energy because she is now in motion. The faster she descends, the greater her kinetic energy becomes.
Therefore, the correct statement is that she has potential energy at the top of the stairs and kinetic energy as she walks down.