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.
The correct answer is A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
This can be seen from the results of the investigation. As the distance the band is pulled back (which represents potential energy) increases, the distance the band travels (which represents kinetic energy) also increases. This shows that there is a direct relationship between the amount of potential energy and the amount of kinetic energy transferred, and the distance traveled by the band.
The correct answer is A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels. In this investigation, the students are manipulating the potential energy of the rubber bands by pulling them back to different distances. When the rubber bands are pulled back further, they will have more potential energy. This potential energy is then transferred to kinetic energy when the bands are released. The kinetic energy causes the bands to travel a greater distance. This is supported by the data in the table, where as the distance the band is pulled back increases, so does the distance the band travels.
To determine the best statement that describes the results of the investigation, we need to analyze the given data points and understand the concepts of potential and kinetic energy.
In this investigation, the students are exploring the relationship between the distance the rubber band is pulled back (potential energy) and the distance the band travels (kinetic energy). The potential energy of the rubber band increases as it is pulled back further, and this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy when the band is released, causing it to travel.
Looking at the data, we see 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, it travels a distance of 61 centimeters. When the band is pulled back 10 centimeters, it travels 122 centimeters, and so on.
Based on this observation, we can conclude that the statement which best describes the results of the investigation is:
A. The more potential energy the band has, the more kinetic energy is transferred, and the farther the band travels.
This statement aligns with our understanding of energy transfer. As the band is pulled back further, it gains more potential energy. When released, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, resulting in a greater distance traveled by the band.