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 B.
According to the principle of conservation of energy, potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy. The farther the slingshot is pulled back, the more potential energy it has. When the slingshot is released, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel.
Therefore, the marble released from a distance of 15 centimeters will have the most potential energy transferred into kinetic energy, causing it to travel the farthest.
To determine the most likely result of this investigation, we need to understand the relationships between potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.
In this investigation, the student is varying the distance the slingshot is pulled back (which affects the potential energy of the marble) and observing the distance the marble travels (which reflects the transfer of potential energy into kinetic energy).
According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. As the slingshot is pulled back further, it stores more potential energy in the marble. When the sling is released, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the marble to move.
Based on this understanding, we can reason that the marble released from a greater distance (15 centimeters) will have more potential energy stored in it. Therefore, it is most likely that 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.
Therefore, the correct answer is 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.