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. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
To determine the statement that best describes the results of the investigation, let's analyze the data provided.
We are given the distance the band is pulled back (potential energy) and the distance the band travels (kinetic energy).
Looking at the data, we can observe that as the distance the band is pulled back increases, the distance the band travels also increases. For example, when the band is pulled back 5 centimeters, the band travels 61 centimeters. However, when the band is pulled back 20 centimeters, the band travels 366 centimeters.
Based on this observation, we can conclude that the more potential energy the band has (when pulled back further), the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
Therefore, 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.