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, causin
g the marble to travel the farthest.
Based on the investigation steps provided, the most likely result of this investigation would be option 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."
This is because when the marble is pulled back to a greater distance (15 centimeters), it acquires more potential energy since potential energy depends on the height or position relative to the ground. When the slingshot is released, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel a greater distance.
To determine the most likely result of this investigation, we need to understand the relationship between the distance the marble is pulled back on the slingshot (the distance over which potential energy is stored) and the distance the marble travels (the distance over which kinetic energy is realized).
In general, pulling back the slingshot farther requires more work and stores more potential energy in the marble. When the sling is released, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the marble to travel. Therefore, it is expected that the marble released from a greater distance will have more potential energy transferred into kinetic energy and will travel farther.
Analyzing the given options:
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. This contradicts our understanding that pulling back the slingshot farther stores more potential energy, so option A is unlikely.
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. This aligns with our understanding that pulling back the slingshot farther stores more potential energy, so option B is a reasonable prediction.
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. This again contradicts our understanding that pulling back the slingshot farther stores more potential energy, so option C is unlikely.
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. This option aligns with our understanding that pulling back the slingshot farther stores more potential energy, so option D is a reasonable prediction.
Based on the understanding of the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, it is most likely that option B is the correct answer.